The Forces employment charity - women into employment 2026

The Forces employment charity is thrilled to announce the return of its flagship event, women into employment (WIE) in 2026! This year.

WIE26 comes with a fresh new format: a dynamic mix of online and in-person events designed to empower female veterans and spouses to take their careers to the next level.

Running from February to mid-March, the series offers practical tools, inspiring speakers, and invaluable networking opportunities—all tailored to the unique challenges and strengths of military women.

What’s new in 2026?

• A hybrid pre-series event, Empowering You, running 3–5 February across Barclays campuses in London, Glasgow, and Knutsford, plus online access for maximum flexibility
• Three lunchtime webinars packed with actionable insights to help you shape your career pathway
• An evening networking event in London, hosted by Bank of America, where you’ll meet employers face-to-face and hear from inspirational speaker Michelle Mills-Porter

Event schedule

• 3-5 February – Empowering You (hybrid across three days)
• 10 February – Webinar 1: Finding your purpose with Michelle Mills-Porter (13:00–14:00)
• 24 February – Webinar 2: Bossing applications and interviews (13:00–14:00)
• 3 March – Webinar 3: Benefits of a mentor and building employer relationships (13:00–14:00)
• 12 March – Networking evening hosted by Bank of America, London (17:00–20:00)

Why the need for ‘Women into Employment’?

Military women, whether veterans or spouses, often face unique challenges when seeking civilian careers:

• Translating military skills into roles employers understand
• Navigating childcare, relocations, and managing disrupted schooling
• Overcoming gender bias and underrepresentation in veteran support networks

With 251,400 female veterans in England and Wales (Census 2021), women remain a smaller proportion of the veteran community compared to men. That’s why dedicated strategies like WIE are vital: they provide tailored support, visibility, and opportunities to thrive.

Research by centreforevidence.org also shows female veterans often encounter barriers to recognition of their skills, health, and access to services. WIE is here to break those barriers and open doors.

In addition, military spouses experience challenges. The MOD’s latest FAMCAS report for 2025 states that of those spouses who looked for a job over the past 12 months, 68% experienced difficulties finding suitable employment. This is an increase on the 62% reported in the 2024 report.

Powered by Op ASCEND

The WIE series is part of Op ASCEND. An Office for Veterans’ Affairs programme awarded to us through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. It is a natural extension of the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), enabling veterans and their families to maximise their potential and take their careers to the next level.