Are you ready to take the next step in your career? RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity can help you reach your goal.
It has already seen around 700 spouses and partners through its programme, and now it’s expanding further. Delivered by a team of specialist families employment advisors, the service offers career diagnostics, help with job searches, CV reviews, interview preparation and technique, mentoring, confidence and self-esteem building, and wider advice including signposting to wellbeing support.
Now, RFEA also provides help to those of you interested in tech and cyber careers through its TechVets programme, as well as offering new coaching sessions for free.
Kirsty Thomas (pictured right), whose husband Colin is serving, sought help from RFEA’s Families Programme. She says: “I lost my previous job as a temp owing to COVID and I simply didn’t know what I wanted to do.
“I’m so grateful to my RFEA Families Advisor. She gave me the confidence to try something new, which was to apply for a maternity cover position as a pre-school assistant – something that was completely out of my comfort zone.
“She pointed out that the role would fit with my lifestyle and gave me the confidence to go for it, helping with my CV, application and interview technique.
“This job has changed everything for me – my work/life balance is the best it’s ever been and has made me the happiest I’ve been in a long time.”
Families Programme Advisors are all partners of serving personnel, with first-hand understanding of the issues you face like frequent moves and a lack of social support and employment networks.
Lee Johnston, RFEA Families Employment Advisor (main photo with husband Liam), explains: “The good news is that there is help available, and RFEA is there to support you with finding an opportunity that’s right for you. Everyone has skills and the key is recognising what they are and how they can be transferred to a role.”
Lucy Ritchie, AFF’s Employment & Training Specialist adds: “The programme provides such an important source of support, and we receive great feedback about it. I’m not exaggerating when I say that for many members of this community, the support offered by the team is life-changing.”
Find out more at rfea.org.uk/families