Going Forward Into Employment – specific support for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses into roles within the Civil Service.
Category: News
Publish date: 07/01/2020
What is Going Forward into Employment?
Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) was launched in 2017 as a cross government collaboration between the Cabinet Office, the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Justice. In 2019 we became an accredited scheme and expanded outreach to also focus on recruiting veterans and their spouses into the Civil Service.
What is the aim of Going Forward into Employment and what Action for Veterans is being taken?
The main aim of the scheme is to help groups of people (veterans, and spouses of veterans) who would otherwise find employment opportunities limited. The programme helps to overcome those barriers, therefore improving their chances in life and raising their aspirations. We are breaking the stigma associated with being a Veteran and are currently expanding our offer to work with individuals who have recently left the armed forces to provide work placements and fixed term paid contracts for up to 24 months across the Civil Service, if the individual (s) meets the objectives of the role, after 12 months and would like to continue working for the Civil Service, there is the potential for the position to be converted to permanent employment.
The last few years have seen an increase in the support and employment opportunities being offered to those leaving Service. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Joint Services recognise that successful transition from the Armed Forces to civilian life is crucial. Preparation for future employment is a central pillar of the transition process and the MoD provides support via the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). We are partnering with the CTP to support personnel leaving the Armed Forces to make a successful transition to civilian employment and achieve the wider vocational outcomes they seek.
Whilst many veterans have successfully made the transition to civilian employment a significant number have struggled to find meaningful employment. Going Forward into Employment aims to contribute in some way towards improving these challenges. We also recognise that partners and spouses face challenges of retaining employment, due to relocation or family commitments alongside their partners time in service. We have therefore broadened outreach and are offering employment opportunities across the Civil Service to spouses of veterans.
THE PROCESS
The GiFE team will work with departments across government involved in the programme to establish the requirements for the role; agree on a time-fame to fill the role and agree the recruitment and selection process relevant to that department.Once we have all the required information and have secured specific roles in departments we will share and work with CTP to find suitable candidates.
Once the department has received applications they will then decide who they would like to invite for an informal conversation, where they may ask questions around experience in the workplace or the reason for applying. When the informal conversations have commenced, it will then be decided by the departments themselves who they would like to offer the role to. When an offer is made to an individual, the department can begin the onboarding process which will require three sets of ID to be detailed at the time.
When the department’s onboarding process is complete, successful applicants will be notified of a start data. A member of the Going Forward into Employment team will allocate you a buddy (if required) in your first week as part of the project support package. The Buddy is there to help steer candidates towards positive outcomes through coaching and consideration of the subject being raised and may be described as something akin to a ‘professional friend’; they will be a listener, a positive role model, a guide and at times a critic. Their primary role is to be a person who can steer/support;
- the candidate towards making the right life choices and one which helps them maintain a good attendance and performance at work.
- the manager in helping them to understand the wider factors that may impact on an individual’s ability to behave and perform to the required standards.
They are there to supplement your departmental processes and not replace them. They will help to support the questioning and approach in understanding what other factors the candidate has to deal with/overcome. They will provide a wider perspective on why certain behaviours and actions could be shown and coach you through the most effective way to handle situations.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
- Spouses and partners of serving Armed Forces and ex-service personnel
- Service Leavers post discharge
- Early Service Leavers (ESL)
- Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS) Service Leavers who are medically discharged and are identified for this resettlement pathway by their military unit delivered within the Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
FAQ’S
What support does the candidate get if they started to work in the Civil Service?
Their new business area, to help integrate them into their team and work area, will support a new starter predominantly. The GFIE team will issue them with a support pack and will assign the individual a ‘buddy’ with whom they can confidentially discuss any matters and seek support through their early days in employment. Not all individuals will want a buddy as it will be offered as a personal choice.
Which departments are already involved?
A number of departments have recruited using the scheme and have also identified potential vacancies that could be suitable, these include:
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Environment Agency
- Food Standards Agency
- Ministry of Defence
- Rural Payment Agency
- Welsh Government
What kind of roles are there?
Most of the roles are admin based roles, either in an office or at home. They are appointed on a fixed term appointment for a period of up to two years. The roles filled so far include;
- Work coach
- Support analyst
- Admin officer
- Personal assistant
- Customer service consultant
How does the recruitment differ from the usual Civil Service process?
The Civil Service Commission (the Commission) accredits and champions government employment initiatives through a specific Exception in its Recruitment Principles 2018: Exception 2 ‘Support for government employment programmes’. This Exception is designed to allow schemes which provide fixed term appointments within the Civil Service for individuals whose circumstances and previous life chances make it difficult for them to compete for appointments on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Under Exception 2, departments may appoint individuals temporarily for up to 2 years.Going Forward into Employment is an accredited scheme and works closely with the Commission on all appointments, supporting the vacancy holder through the processes required at all stages.
What qualifications will people need?
Some roles may ask for qualifications, but we do ask departments to be more flexible where possible. These will all be included on the job description.
Will there be any options for longer term employment?
After 12 months, if the individual is meeting their performance objectives and there are no issues, the department can make the decision to make them permanent civil servants under another exception (10) if they meet the required schemes standard as set out by our scheme, and which the Commission has subsequently accredited.
How to apply:
Job Vacancies will appear on CTP Right Job as they arise, so please use the search facility to search under Company Name of “Cabinet Office” and apply as soon as possible.
You are also advised to add “Civil Service” and “Public Sector” to your online RJ profile so that you can be notified when a vacancy is loaded.
Any queries, please email Jo Lucas Employer Relationship Manager South West on [email protected].