Veterans scheme aims to encourage more veterans to join the civil service

The great place to work for veterans scheme aims to encourage more veterans to join the civil service when they leave the Armed Forces.

About the scheme

The Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme is designed to encourage more veterans to join the Civil Service when they leave the armed forces, ensuring the Civil Service benefits from the wide-range of skills and talents in the armed forces community.

As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to those who served, this is an opt-in recruitment scheme which allows former members of the armed forces who meet the minimum criteria to progress to the next level with their application for most vacancies – whether that’s an interview or an online test. All appointments will continue to be made on merit.

When a veteran opts into the scheme and meets the minimum criteria, they’ll progress to the next stage for most vacancies – whether that’s an interview or an online test. Roles within the scheme are available at various grades, in functions and professions across the Civil Service.

Applying for a job

When applying for a role through Civil Service Jobs, applicants will be prompted to enter whether they are eligible for the Great Place to Work Initiative by confirming that they served in the armed forces.

The addition of this scheme will further open up a broad range of exciting opportunities in the Civil Service, alongside existing schemes such as the Going Forward Into Employment Programme.

It is hoped that this initiative will see more ex-servicemen and women continue their public service, bringing their unique skills and experience to roles across the Civil Service

A fast track with purpose

For years, ministers and military charities have said the same thing: veterans bring resilience, leadership and calm under pressure—exactly the qualities big public organisations need. The Civil Service is now putting that belief into practice with its Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme, a simple but powerful commitment: if you’re a veteran and you meet the minimum requirements for a vacancy, you’re guaranteed progression to the next stage.

That next stage could be an interview, an online test, or another sift step—whatever the standard process demands. The point is fairness with momentum: no more being filtered out by a crowded inbox before a human ever sees your application.

Who qualifies?

Eligibility is intentionally broad:

• Service: At least one year in HM Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve).
• Status: You’re transitioning out of the Forces or you’ve already left.
• Current employment: You’re not already a Civil Servant or employed by a Civil Service Commission-accredited public body.
• Time limit: There isn’t one—it doesn’t matter whether you left last month or last decade.

This openness recognises that military skills don’t have a shelf life. Operational judgement, team leadership, mission planning and the ability to perform under pressure translate into civilian impact—whether in project delivery, digital, estates, policy, security, or frontline operational roles.

How it works in practice

Applying is straightforward. When you find an eligible vacancy on the Civil Service Jobs portal, you’ll be prompted to opt in to the veterans scheme and confirm your eligibility. From there:

1. Match the essentials. Read the job’s “essential criteria”—typically skills, experience and Civil Service behaviours.
2. Evidence clearly. Use concise, outcome-focused examples (STAR—Situation, Task, Action, Result) to show you meet the minimum bar.
3. Secure your progression. If you do, you’ll automatically move to the next selection stage. No special treatment later; just a fair shot sooner.

“It’s not a free pass—your experience still has to meet the brief. But the scheme ensures your application isn’t lost in the noise.”

Why the Civil Service wants you

Beyond patriotism, this is pure workforce logic. Veterans bring:

• Leadership & accountability from command roles at every rank.
• Strategic planning honed in complex, resource-constrained environments.
• Risk and safety culture—vital in operational agencies and public protection roles.
• Resilience & teamwork where collaboration and clear communication matter.

These strengths cut across grades and professions. Think Programme Manager in the Home Office, Estates Project Lead at the Ministry of Justice, Cyber Security Analyst at the Cabinet Office, Intelligence roles in Defence, Data & Digital specialists across departments—the list is long.

Not a lone initiative: support that sits around it

The veterans guarantee sits alongside Going Forward into Employment (GFiE)—a programme that offers direct appointments and tailored support for candidates who face barriers to work. In other words, if the standard process isn’t the right fit for your circumstances, there may be an alternative route with wrap-around help.

Make the most of your military story

To convert guaranteed progression into an offer, translate your service into the Civil Service’s language:

• Map roles to outcomes. “Led a troop of 30” becomes “managed a 30-person team delivering a time-critical, multi-stakeholder project to deadline and budget.”
• Quantify impact. Costs saved, risks mitigated, people trained, assets maintained, availability improved.
• Behaviours, not just tasks. The Civil Service assesses behaviours (e.g., Leadership, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions). Tie your examples explicitly to these headings.
• Civilianise acronyms. Spell out equipment, units and qualifications; explain context in one line.
• Show learning agility. Short courses, trade certs, or self-taught skills (Excel, Power BI, Python) signal you’ll climb the curve fast.

Quick guide: using the scheme

Where to apply: Civil Service Jobs portal
What to do:

1. Find an eligible vacancy
2. Opt in to the veterans scheme
3. Evidence you meet all essentials
4. Prepare for the next stage (interview/test)

Eligibility at a glance (tear-out box)

• ≥ 1 year Regular or Reserve service
• Leaving or have left HM Armed Forces
• Not a current Civil Servant or staff of a Commission-accredited body
• No time limit since discharge