Approximately 15,000 veterans leave the Armed Forces each year1. Although most veterans successfully transition from military to civilian life, with over 80% of Service leavers finding employment1, some require additional support.
Following the conclusion of a three-year research project funded by Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), a newly launched evaluation report by Glasgow Caledonian University evaluates the effectiveness of Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company’s (SBMC) training programme in helping veterans transition to employment in civilian life.
To date, there has been a lack of rigorous evaluation evidence on the impact of employment programmes for veterans worldwide. A scoping review showed that existing studies come from the US, and that links with health and wellbeing outcomes were not well documented.
The report demonstrates the positive impact of SBMC’s employment training programme at its social enterprise in Erskine, Renfrewshire on employability, skills, confidence, wellbeing and mental health. The report concludes with recommendations to expand such programmes, ensuring that more veterans can benefit from similar opportunities.
Robert Lappin, Assistant Director of SBMC, who served in the Royal Engineers, said, “Working with our inhouse training manager our progressive employment training programme offers veterans the opportunity to gain qualifications while earning a living wage. The programme includes a range of vocational and employability skills, with a focus on personal development and confidence building. It also validates the skills and qualifications they learned in the Armed Forces. As we understand the needs of veterans, we have created a workplace culture where they can thrive.
“Our work also helps veterans to overcome life-changing injuries and mental health challenges and gets those who have been long-term unemployed back into meaningful employment. Every single person here takes great pride in their work as they deliver commercial projects for Bear Scotland, Amey, Forestry and Land Scotland and Scottish Canals, to name just a few clients
“The qualifications that our workforce gain at SBMC is part of a progression pathway to higher wages, more responsibility, and move on to other employers. SBMC is a subsidiary of Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), a leading expert in veteran and disability employment. As a result of this study RBLI now aims to create a learning academy at Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Co social enterprise in Kent that will mirror our training programme.”
The evaluation report was carried out by Shirley Morrison-Glancy and Dr Philippa Dall in Glasgow Caledonian’s School of Health and Life Sciences, and Professor Artur Steiner and Dr Dani Hutcheon in the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health.
Yunus Centre Research Fellow, Dr Hutcheon, said “Our research showed the importance of having formal recognition of the skills and expertise that veterans had, not just for employment, but also to reinstate a sense of pride and purpose that may have been lost after leaving the Forces.”
Findings also stated that the majority of participants had been attracted to SBMC as a workplace because it specialises in veteran employment, and they would be working with fellow veterans. There was also an understanding by many that SBMC was a workplace that was trusting of their employees and supportive of the needs of veterans and their personal lives.
“Further results of the research highlighted that there is a need for more supportive work environments like SBMC’s for veterans and that delivery of training should be flexible and tailored to veterans’ needs.” Dr Hutcheon continues.
SBMC’s Training Programme
The evaluation report highlights several key impacts of the programme including reporting considerable improvements in veterans’ readiness for civilian employment, providing validation of their existing skills, and facilitating new qualifications.
Another important factor was that SBMC’s veterans cited improved mental wellbeing through an established sense of purpose and a constructive distraction from personal challenges.
Testimonials from SBMC’s veterans
The report features interviews with a number of veterans who work at SBMC, showcasing the transformative effects of the programme on the individual veterans.
A Royal Navy veteran, remarked, “The supportive environment at SBMC made all the difference. The qualifications I earned have opened doors I never thought possible.”
Another said, “The qualifications strengthen my CV and validate the skills that I’ve got.”
A former British Army serviceman, shared, “The training at SBMC gave me a renewed sense of purpose. The skills I gained here are invaluable, and I now feel confident to pursue a new career.”
Gaining formal skills, from basic health and safety to specialised IT qualifications, is crucial for enhancing employability, while targeting veterans who have recently left the Armed Forces for immediate employment support is also essential to prevent disengagement from the labour market.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, or to arrange interviews, please contact Catherine Goodier, RBLI, T: 01622 795992 M: 07717573060 or E: [email protected]
1 Ministry of Defence (2024) Gov.UK
2 89% of 2022/2023 leavers using the Career Transition Partnership were in employment, Career Transition Partnership (2024) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ca3cbb9c5b7f0012951cf3/Career_Transition_Partnership_2022-23.pdf
3 Forces in Mind Trust (2018). Lifting the lid on transition: The families’ experience and the support they need. Available at: https://www. fim-trust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ Transition-Final-Report-FINAL-ONLINE.pdf
About Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company
Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC), established in 2018, is dedicated to providing veterans with meaningful employment and vocational training. SBMC is Scotland’s leading social enterprise and a market leader in the production of road and rail signs and commercial signage. SBMC provides employment to military veterans as well as to people with disabilities and while doing so, provides nationally recognised training and qualifications with ongoing development opportunities. scotlandsbravest.org.uk
About Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT)
Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) was founded in 2011 with a £35 million endowment from the National Lottery Community Fund to improve transition to civilian life for Service leavers and their families. Our mission is to enable successful and sustainable transition to civilian life, and by funding high quality, credible research where there is an identified gap in relevant understanding, and by then exploiting the findings, FiMT aims to effect positive change.
www.fim-trust.org |@FiMTrust
About Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow Caledonian University is the top modern university in the UK, and the largest and leading modern university in Scotland. It is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London. With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, our partnerships with employers help our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.
September 2024
