Moving to the UK for the first time can be one of the most challenging transitions for military spouses and partners. Settling into a new country, unfamiliar employment systems, lack of recognition for hard-won qualifications and the pressure to rebuild a career can feel overwhelming.
But help is at hand! By providing dedicated support and removing financial barriers, these programmes are helping non-UK families build confidence, access meaningful employment in the UK and feel more connected within their communities.
FORCES EMPLOYMENT CHARITY FAMILIES PROGRAMME
The Forces Employment Charity’s Families team provides free, personalised support to help non-UK families overcome barriers, offering tailored guidance, access to training and practical advice.
When Reva, a Gurkha spouse, moved from Brunei to the UK, she struggled to secure interviews and wasn’t sure how to effectively present her skills.
Feeling discouraged and unfamiliar with the UK employment landscape, she registered with the charity for support. She worked with her employment advisor, Sarah, to tailor her CV, explore new opportunities and access free IT and cyber training through the charity’s TechVets service.
Gradually, Reva regained her confidence and began to recognise her strengths. She now works at the charity as a Families Employment Advisor. She says: “I want other spouses to know they can build careers that move with them, and that they’re never alone in the process. The support I received changed my life.”
RECRUIT FOR SPOUSES FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH PROGRAMME
Many non-UK partners arrive in the UK with valuable qualifications and experience, but face challenges as the high cost of recognising overseas qualifications alone can equal several weeks’ salary from their home country placing career progression out of reach.
The Recruit for Spouses (RFS) F&C programme tackles these challenges by funding statements of comparability and offering tailored, one-to-one employability support.
Participants receive personalised guidance including CV support, interview preparation and access to workshops and employment opportunities. Programme delivery is supported by the Army Benevolent Fund and The Army Central Fund.
Since launching in October 2024, the programme has supported more than 190 individuals. Upon completion, many have gained successful recognition for their qualifications and have secured careers with reputable employers across the UK.
recruitforspouses.co.uk/foreign-commonwealth
LIFEWORKS FAMILIES
Lifeworks Families supports spouses and partners through both face-to-face and remote employability programmes.
Their residential courses offer a four-day experience while the online courses provide a flexible alternative for those balancing school runs, appointments and family life.
The course sees strong engagement from non-UK families and focuses on building confidence, understanding personal strengths and creating positive change.
Practical sessions cover job search strategies (including how to access the hidden job market) alongside tailored CV development rooted in each delegate’s life experience, skills and goals. The final day includes mock interviews with industry volunteers who provide constructive, confidence-building feedback.
Every participant receives 12 months of one-to-one employment support from their tutor, and Lifeworks consistently achieves around an 80 per cent success rate of delegates moving into employment or full-time training.
Following the course, a spouse from New Zealand successfully interviewed for two jobs and was able to choose the one that best suited her.
“Our tutor really took the time to answer our questions and explained everything really clearly. The course made me feel more confident in doing CVs and jobinterviews,” she said.