Management and Leadership

Careers

For veterans transitioning from the British Armed Forces, a career in management and leadership provides an excellent opportunity to apply the skills honed during military service in civilian roles. Leadership positions across a variety of sectors require strong decision-making, team management, and strategic thinking—all skills veterans have developed through their service. This guide explores the steps to transitioning into management, including leveraging military experience, gaining qualifications, and accessing training options. Whether you aim to manage teams or lead large projects, this guide will help you navigate the transition and find success in a leadership role.

What’s involved?

A career in management and leadership offers a rewarding path for veterans transitioning from the British Armed Forces. Managers and leaders are responsible for setting strategic goals, overseeing teams, and ensuring projects are completed efficiently and effectively. Leadership roles can be found across various sectors, from corporate environments to public services, where decision-making, problem-solving, and team motivation are critical to success. Veterans bring valuable skills such as resilience, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm under pressure—all essential qualities for effective management. By leveraging these strengths, veterans can excel in roles such as project managers, team leaders, department heads, or executive directors.

As a manager, you’ll be responsible for guiding teams, allocating resources, and creating strategies to achieve organizational goals. Leadership roles demand excellent communication skills, the ability to inspire and develop others, and an understanding of how to balance short-term targets with long-term vision. For veterans, the transition into civilian leadership roles is a natural progression, especially when complemented by relevant training and qualifications in management.

Skill up while serving

One of the advantages of serving in the Armed Forces is the opportunity to develop leadership and management skills on the job. During your military career, you likely took on roles that required managing people, resources, and complex operations in challenging environments. These experiences equip you with a range of transferable skills, such as critical thinking, decision-making, and team coordination, which are highly sought after in civilian management roles.

In addition to practical experience, the British Armed Forces provide various leadership development programs that can enhance your management capabilities. Many military roles include training in strategic planning, conflict resolution, and personnel management—skills that directly align with the demands of civilian leadership roles. Taking advantage of these opportunities to upskill while serving can prepare you for a smooth transition into a management career after leaving the military.

The three main accreditation bodies (with links to the Armed Forces page of each, where applicable) are as follows:

• the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
• the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• City & Guilds (C&G)

In addition to qualifications, certain personal qualities can also be beneficial to those who ultimately wish to pursue a career in management (see the box titled ‘Have you got what it takes?’). In fact, due to the roles and responsibilities you may have taken on while serving, you could already be well equipped with a range of management skills without even realising it!

Get qualified!

While military experience provides an excellent foundation, obtaining formal qualifications in management and leadership will make you more competitive in the civilian job market. These qualifications help bridge the gap between military and corporate leadership styles and provide a recognised standard that employers value. Many management roles require specific certifications or degrees, and having these qualifications can open doors to higher-level positions and greater earning potential.

Courses and training options

There are various courses and training options available to veterans to build or enhance their management and leadership qualifications, ranging from short-term courses to full degrees. The option you choose will depend on your current experience, your career goals, and the time you wish to dedicate to formal education.

Short courses Short courses are ideal for veterans looking to gain specific skills quickly, such as time management, communication, or project leadership. These can be completed in a few days or weeks and offer a focused approach to particular areas of management. Many professional bodies, such as the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), offer short courses tailored for individuals transitioning from the Armed Forces.

Intensive short courses Intensive short courses provide an accelerated route to gaining essential management skills, often lasting just a few weeks. These courses cover key areas such as leadership strategy, team dynamics, and business operations in a condensed format. This option is perfect for those who want to make a quick transition into leadership roles without committing to long-term study.

Certificate and diploma courses Certificate and diploma courses offer a more comprehensive education in management, typically lasting several months. These qualifications focus on developing leadership theory, organisational behaviour, and strategic thinking skills. Both CMI and ILM offer diploma-level courses that are highly respected in the industry. Diplomas can also serve as stepping stones toward higher education degrees in management.

Foundation degrees For veterans seeking a broader understanding of business management while balancing work commitments, a foundation degree in management may be the right fit. These courses generally take two years to complete part-time and provide a solid grounding in business principles, leadership, and decision-making. They offer the flexibility to continue working while studying and are often available via distance learning.

Bachelor’s degrees A bachelor’s degree in business management or leadership is a significant investment in your future and typically takes three years to complete. This degree provides an in-depth education in management practices, including finance, marketing, human resources, and operations. Many veterans pursue business-related degrees to enhance their career prospects and develop a well-rounded understanding of management across various sectors. Bachelor’s degrees can also open doors to senior leadership positions or postgraduate study.

As well as those listed above, there are many other courses on offer, with most business schools and the institutes featured in this article offering a number of certificates and diplomas in management, as well as assessment and quality assurance (verification) qualifications.

Use your ELC

Veterans are eligible to use their Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) to fund education and training courses in management and leadership. The ELC scheme provides financial support for courses at Level 3 or above, helping veterans to cover the costs of accredited management courses, diplomas, and degrees. This financial assistance can be used to access a wide range of leadership and management programs, including those offered by recognised institutions such as universities, CMI, or ILM. ELCs encourage lifelong learning and can be a critical resource in transitioning into a successful management career.

Under the ELC scheme, a wide range of learning can be taken, provided it is offered by an approved provider listed on the ELCAS website and is at level 3 or above. For full details of how to make the most of your ELC, refer to the in-depth features elsewhere on the Quest website

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP APPRENTICESHIPS
The CMI website lists the following management apprenticeships as currently available: Team Leader/Supervisor (level 3); Operations/Departmental Manager (level 5); Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (level 6); Senior Leader Apprenticeship (level 7). Visit this webpage to stay up to date with the latest information. Alternatively, use your favourite search engine to discover more options. Or browse the government’s apprenticeship website (check out the ‘Business and administration’ section) or Find Apprenticeships, both of which allow you to search for apprenticeship opportunities by area of interest and location.

Professional bodies

Joining a professional body can help you gain recognition, access training resources, and expand your network within the management and leadership industry. Several professional bodies cater to individuals pursuing management careers, offering memberships, professional recognition, and continuous professional development opportunities.

The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)

The ILM is one of the UK's leading providers of leadership and management qualifications. It offers a range of courses, certifications, and memberships that are widely recognised across industries. By joining the ILM, veterans can gain access to leadership resources, mentorship, and professional development programs that enhance their career prospects. ILM qualifications are practical and focused on developing real-world leadership skills.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

The CMI is another well-respected organisation that focuses on management and leadership development. It offers certifications, professional qualifications, and a Chartered Manager status, which is considered the highest level of professional recognition for managers. Veterans who join the CMI can benefit from its wide array of training resources, mentorship programs, and networking events. Membership with the CMI can also help you achieve Chartered Manager status, boosting your credibility and career prospects.

Professional recognition awards and membership of professional bodies

Achieving professional recognition through awards or certifications from bodies like the ILM and CMI can significantly enhance your employability. Membership in these professional organisations also provides continuous learning opportunities, access to industry trends, and the chance to network with other professionals. Recognition from a professional body is a mark of excellence and competence, which can help distinguish you in a competitive job market.