Maybe you are thinking of changing direction in your career, setting up your own business, considering a new job or looking to do some training. Did you know that as a military family you have access to some fantastic resources and organisations who can support you.

FORCES FAMILIES JOBS (FFJ)

FFJ is the go-to platform for employment, training opportunities and volunteer roles for family members of currently serving UK military personnel. You can apply for jobs and access employment and training opportunities with organisations who are forces family friendly. All employers and training providers have signed the Armed Forces Covenant or are able to demonstrate their commitment to the armed forces.

FFJ is the gateway to accessing information about upskilling, getting job ready, running your own business or applying for a job with employers who are understanding of the unique challenges that come with being a family member of a serving person. forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk

BFBS SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALISTS

The BFBS Academy offers free social media training for partners of UK military personnel, veterans and their families, and bereaved forces families. Aimed at providing valuable social media marketing skills, the SMSpecialists courses cover all aspects of social media, from understanding algorithms to planning campaigns, creating engaging content and running ads. Participants can learn at their own pace from anywhere using a smartphone, iPad or laptop with internet access.

The program includes seven online courses covering platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and LinkedIn, teaching practical strategies for content creation and audience growth. Apply at sms.bfbs.com

FORCES EMPLOYMENT CHARITY

The Forces Employment Charity exists to provide life-long, life-changing support, job opportunities and training to service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

Its Families Programme supports spouses and partners of serving personnel and veterans, including divorced, separated and bereaved, on their journey into employment. It also offers mentoring and career guidance to service children and young people aged 16-24.

It provides one-to-one advice and guidance, employability and employment support, including bespoke career and training diagnostics, CV and application assistance, interview techniques, coaching and mentoring. forcesemployment.org.uk

HEROPRENEURS

Heropreneurs is a charity dedicated to empowering members of the armed forces community to create their own businesses and become successful entrepreneurs. The Heropreneurs mentoring programme is freely available to military spouses and partners. It offers support primarily through a mentoring programme, delivered by experienced volunteer mentors. Its mentors are successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople who are all passionate about sharing their business knowledge and giving back to members of the armed forces family. The charity runs a monthly online mentee clinic which brings the community together to work on challenges and grow their network. heropreneurs.co.uk

THE MILITARY COWORKING NETWORK (MCN)

The MCN is for military partners across the armed forces community. Its goal is to enable military spouses and partners to have successful and fulfilled professional careers alongside military life. It does this via its coworking hubs at military bases across the UK and abroad, giving access to fully equipped, professional shared office spaces, where you can work, study and connect with other like-minded people. The cost of membership is £30 a year.

The online community, which is free to join, provides access to resources, events and opportunities to learn new skills and meet new people. militarycoworking.uk

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION INDUSTRIES (RBLI) LIFEWORKS

The RBLI Lifeworks programme offers free employment support and courses which equips veterans and family members with the tools needed to find meaningful employment beyond the military context. Tailored to individual needs, Lifeworks provides resources, course information and access to job vacancies. RBLI Lifeworks courses are held nationwide. wearelifeworks.org.uk

RECRUIT FOR SPOUSES (RfS)

RfS is committed to supporting the spouses and partners of the armed forces community. Its mission is to support military spouses through meaningful career opportunities and professional development, in order to return talent to the workplace.

It provides a comprehensive range of support services which can be accessed by the community for free, including remote, part-time and flexible jobs, career coaching, skills workshops, mental health and well-being support, Foreign & Commonwealth programme and networking opportunities. recruitforspouses.co.uk

THE MILSPO BUSINESS NETWORK

The Milspo Business Network is dedicated to supporting all UK military spouses, partners and other-halves (or ‘SPOs’) who want to run a business that fits around military life.

In addition to in-person events, Milspo brings this global community together through virtual networking, co-working and specialised workshops – so wherever you are in the world, you needn’t feel isolated.

If you dream of starting your own business, but don’t know where to begin, then apply to join Milspo’s free ‘Business Launch Accelerator’ start-up course. milspo.co.uk

X-FORCES ENTERPRISE (XFE)

XFE supports entrepreneurship in the armed forces community; including veterans, service leavers, reservists, military spouses and partners, and family members and is a specialist business support partner for the government’s Start Up Loan scheme.

Since launching in 2013, XFE has helped more than 14,000 people to make informed decisions about self-employment and, if right for them, start new chapters as business owners.

XFE helps individuals from the armed forces community to consider, start and scale their businesses, with a package of training, access to finance, knowledge exchange and mentoring, and networking with like-minded business owners.

XFE runs regular workshops that provide self-employment awareness, enterprise skills, themed masterclasses and networking sessions. Registration is free. x-forces.com


Main photo: Lucy Ritchie, AFF Employment & Training Specialist and Sarah Johnson, Forces Families Jobs Administrator

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