Armed forces employment, education and skills

We want to help our armed forces community to achieve their ambitions and get the support they need. You can find out about education, training, and employment options and support that can help you get started.

Education

Adult Skills and Community Learning

If you're aged 19 or over, our Adult Skills and Community Learning team can help you find courses and classes to improve your wellbeing, gain qualifications and increase your employability.

With options for a range of levels and abilities, we can help you to set goals based on what you'd like to achieve. You can ease back into learning with a taster class and go right through to gaining a full qualification.

Bereavement scholarship scheme

The Bereavement scholarship scheme is for the children of service personnel whose death has been attributed to service since 1990. The scheme can help with costs of further education for eligible applicants.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme

Serving personnel, service leavers and those that have recently left service can get help from the MOD Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme to achieve a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above.

British Forces Resettlement Services

If you're leaving, or have already left the armed forces, you can find courses that can enhance your career development through the British Forces Resettlement Services. Visit their website, or call 02476 939931 for more information.

Forces Employment Charity

Support service leavers, veterans and their families, and reservists can find training opportunities that can enhance their civilian employment journey with the Forces Employment Charity. Call 0121 262 3058 or visit their website for more details.

Career Transitions Partnership (CTP)

Career Transitions Partnership offer value for money courses, that are MOD approved for service leavers.

Service Pupil Premium

State schools, academies and free schools can receive additional funding known as Service Pupil Premium to provide support (mainly pastoral). This is for service children who may experience specific challenges due to being part of the armed forces community.

Children's Education Advisory Service (CEAS)

Eligible MOD civilian families can receive authoritative, bespoke and professional advice from CEAS on a wide range of educational issues.

Royal British Legion Industries Lifeworks

Veterans and their family members can find additional training opportunities to enhance their civilian employment opportunities with the Royal British Legion Industries Lifeworks - call 0800 319 6844 or visit their website for more details.

The Warrior Programme

Serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families can get support from The Warrior Programme to help them improve their performance and reach their potential. You can call 0808 8010898 or visit their website for more details.

UCAS

UCAS offers advice and support to the armed forces community when applying for higher education. Visit UCAS for armed forces family members or UCAS for veterans and service leavers for more information.

Naval Families Federation

You can get advice on a range of education aspects, including primary, secondary, further, lifelong, and higher education with the Naval Families Federation.

Army Families Federation

Advice and information can be found on the Army Families Federation website about a range of education aspects including primary and secondary education, childcare, SEND, and higher education.

They also provide advice on training opportunities and adult learning for armed forces families.

RAF Families Federation

Find advice and information from the RAF Families Federation about a range of education aspects including primary and secondary education, childcare, early years, SEND, further and higher education. so provide information about training opportunities for armed forces families.

Forces Families Jobs

You can find an extensive list of training opportunities for families of serving personnel on the Forces Families Jobs website.

Barnsley Council Skills and Employability Support

You can find support with accessing learning that will enhance civilian employability with our Skills and employability service. Call us on 01226 775100 or visit our website for more details.

Employment

Barnsley Council

We support our armed forces community and want them to achieve their ambitions.

There's lots of roles to choose from with us. View our job vacancies.

Our skills and employability team can also support you to get back into training and employment.

British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) 

The BFRS helps the armed forces community with their move into civilian life. It's open to service leavers, reserve forces, veterans and civilian MoD employees. It's also open to their partners and families.

The BFRS hold career events throughout the UK. These bring the armed forces community together with employers, training providers and support services.

You can find out more on the BFRS website or by calling 02476 939931.

Career Transition Partnership (CTP)

The CTP is the name of a scheme from the MoD and Right Management. Leavers from the forces at any rank can access resettlement support, career advice and training.

CTP is the official provider of armed forces resettlement. Ex-servicemen and women can receive support from the CTP for up to two years post discharge.

Forces Families Jobs 

Supports family members of currently serving UK military personnel to access employment, training and volunteering. Find out more about Forces Families Jobs.

Jobcentre Plus

Armed forces champions in each jobcentre plus support veterans, serving personnel and their families.  They help you to get the right advice on finding a job and accessing appropriate benefits. Visit armed forces access to Jobcentre Plus services at GOV.UK.

NHS

The NHS are proud to support the Armed Forces Community into a career in Healthcare. You can find out more information at:

Forces Employment

Forces Employment provide employment support for service leavers, reservists, veterans and family members. Call 0121 2623058 if you want more details.

South Yorkshire Police

South Yorkshire Police have pledged to support the employment of veterans of all ages. Find jobs at South Yorkshire Police.   

Walking with the Wounded (WWTW)

WWTW can support those who've served in the armed forces as well as their families. They provide veterans with independence through employment.

Service Leavers Adjustments Passport

This passport provides an up to date record of any adjustments and/or other requirements a service leaver may need in civilian employment. The passport can be passed to future civilian employers by the service leaver, allowing them to have confident conversations with potential employers about any required adjustments the service leaver may need.

To find out more visit the Service Leavers Adjustments Passport page.

Royal British Legion Industries Lifeworks 

Tailored employment support for veterans and families of those still serving.  Call 0800 3196844 or we are life works.

The Poppy Factory 

Employment support for veterans with health conditions and their families that support or care for them. Call 020 8939 1837 or visit The Poppy Factory.

The British Training Board (CIC)

Career development and support to translate military skills into civilian employment. Visit The British Training Board for more details.  

Buildforce (CIC)

Supports service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their spouses transition into professional careers in the construction industry. Also supports with CV and interview mentoring. Visit the Buildforce for more details.  

Building Heroes

If you're a service leaver or veteran, you can find opportunities to retrain for a career in construction. Call 0330 912 6200 or visit Building Heroes.

Salute My Job 

Find support for veterans and service leavers with the transition to civilian employment. Call 01249 691416 or visit Salute My Job.

Veterans Gateway

Veterans Gateway provides advice on transferring military skills into civilian employment, CV writing, and interview skills.

JobOppo

Find support for veterans with CV writing and interview skills with JobOppo. It connects them with armed forces friendly employers. Call 0333 242 3857 or visit their website for more details.

Recruit for Spouses

If you're a military spouse or partner, Recruit for Spouses can help you find meaningful employment. Call 0333 2020 996 for more details.

Guidance for employers

You can read the following guides: 

Volunteering

Volunteering with us has lots of benefits. It can help you to:

  • gain confidence
  • meet new people
  • make a difference to people and your community
  • become part of the community
  • learn new skills and take on new challenges

Find out about our volunteering roles.

Volunteer with an armed forces charity

You can volunteer at a range of armed forces charities including:

Volunteer as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer

As a cadet force adult volunteer you can help make a real difference to young people's lives by leading, inspiring and guiding. You'll also have fun, learn new skills, and develop your leadership potential.

Visit the cadet force websites and explore adult volunteering opportunities: