Welcome to Scotland: a guide for Service personnel and their families - updated 2023

Employment and Training

There are a number of ways to find work in Scotland and below is a list of the support services that we provide to help you in securing employment.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

SDS is Scotland's career service. Their career information, advice and guidance service helps people of all ages to understand the world of work and develop lifelong career management skills. They can help you with career choices, job search, CVs and applications, apprenticeships, funding information and redundancy advice. Their qualified career guidance and advice experts deliver confidential and impartial career services through a network of high street career centres as well as offering career information, advice and guidance over the phone on their dedicated freephone helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm – 0800 917 8000) and online at Scotland's career website.

You can find details of your closest SDS career centre here.

You can also access specific and dedicated information and assistance for Armed Forces veterans and leavers here.

No One Left Behind

No One Left Behind supports those transitioning out of military services and their families, to deliver a local place-based approach to facilitate easier alignment of employability support with existing local level support services. Employability support is aligned with other support services including housing, health, justice and advice services to ensure that individuals can access the holistic packages of support that they need to move towards, into and to sustain employment. Individuals are assigned a key worker who will identify support needs and ensure they receive the right support at the right time.

No One Left Behind is delivered locally through Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs) who have responsibility for, and ensure provision meets with local labour market and demographic needs.

You can find more information and contact details for your Local Authority here.

Fair Start Scotland

Fair Start Scotland, our national employment support service, offers 12-to-18 months of tailored, person-centred pre-employment support, along with up to 12 months of in-work support available for individuals and their employers. Support includes access to workshops and guidance utilising the transferrable skills that people leave military services with.

You can find information and contact details on your local Fair Start Scotland Service Provider here.

Going Forward into Employment

Going Forward into Employment (GFIE) is a scheme which provides civil service employment to specified groups with exemptions, by allowing suitably qualified people to be offered posts without having to compete in the usual way.

The Scottish Government is proud to participate in the GFIE programme that supports military veterans who have left service within the last five years or who have left service within the last 10 years seriously injured, as well as spouses or partners of either those veterans or currently serving personnel.

Roles are initially offered on a temporary basis for up to 23 months and may potentially be converted to permanent after 12 months, subject to the individual passing an assessment for a permanent role.

Scottish Government GFIE roles will be posted to Forces Families Jobs. For more information on the GFIE scheme please email help@forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk

Women Returners Programme

The Women Returners Programme was created to assist women in Scotland who've been out of work for 6+ months to successfully enter the workforce, the programme is set up to help restart the career journey for this important part of the workforce. The service aims to provide one-to-one bespoke support, advice and access to professional opportunities.

The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and in 2020 the programme's criteria was extended to include female veterans and spouses/partners of serving personnel. The purpose of the programme is aimed at helping many women back into work and to work with employers to provide valuable advice, peer support and access to training and work experience, which will open up opportunities for women in sectors where they are under-represented. Please visit Women Returners - Consulting | Coaching | Network for further information.

Working in Your Local Area

You can apply to work for your local council across a wide range of job roles and services. Visit My Job Scotland to view, search and apply for jobs in your area here.

Jobcentre Plus helps people to find and progress in work, including those who are unemployed and claiming benefits. Visit your nearest Jobcentre Plus for help with finding a job and information on any benefits you and your family might be entitled to, or visit the website.

You can find further information surrounding the support services available here.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are work-based learning opportunities or jobs with industry-recognised qualifications. Apprenticeship jobs provide people with the chance to work, learn and earn to get the skills employers want.

There are three types of Scottish Apprenticeships, Foundation, Modern and Graduate:

• Foundation Apprenticeships are work-based learning opportunities for senior-phase secondary school pupils. Lasting one or two years, pupils can begin their Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 or S6. Young people spend time out of school at college or with a local employer enabling them to complete the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside their other subjects like National 5s and Highers. Completion leads to a qualification at the same level of learning as a Higher. Foundation Apprenticeships are recognised as entry qualifications by all Scottish colleges and universities.
• Modern Apprenticeships are jobs for people over 16 who have left school. This type of apprenticeship enables you to get paid, whilst learning on the job. You get the experience you need whilst working towards an accredited qualification which is recognised by industry, with the support of a training provider who works with the business.
• Graduate Apprenticeships are jobs for those who are over 16 and provide work-based learning opportunities up to master's degree level for new and existing employees. The apprenticeships combine academic knowledge with skills development to enable participants to become more effective and productive in the workplace. There are 14 Graduate Apprenticeship subjects available, all in growing sectors with great career prospects.

Forces Families Jobs

Forces Families Jobs is an employment and training platform for Service spouses, partners and family members. It offers employers free access to a pool of talented employees of service spouses and family members whose current resource is very much untapped. You can find more information or register at the Forces Families Jobs website.

Volunteering

There are thousands of charities across Scotland who are looking for volunteers to get involved and make a difference. If you would like help to volunteer or to find organisations in your area please get in touch with your local Third Sector Interface (TSI) / Volunteer Centre who will be happy to offer you advice about volunteering. They are in each area of Scotland: one for each local authority. Find your local TSI details here or search for volunteering opportunities here: Volunteer Scotland Search | Help Make a Difference through Volunteering