Armed Forces veterans wanted on civvy street with jobs available at Travis Perkins and advice from Veterans’ Gateway
Travis Perkins has 50 jobs suitable for ex-Forces personnel and has won a silver award from the Government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
MORE than 14,000 people leave the Armed Forces each year in search of employment as civilians.
Amid warnings the Army is being “hollowed out” through cuts to frontline forces, Veterans’ Gateway was launched to provide a first point of contact for former military personnel and their families who need support.
It works with six partners that specialise in employment, including the Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership.
One firm to actively recruit ex-military personnel is Travis Perkins.
Since the start of 2017, it has taken on 275 people via its programme for former Forces men and women.
It currently has 50 jobs suitable for ex-Forces personnel and won a silver award from the Government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme last year.
Five months earlier, it became the 1,500th UK organisation to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, which promises fair treatment for those who have served our country.
Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: “Britain prides itself on the professionalism of our Armed Forces, who are the best in the world.
“They are disciplined, committed, and extremely well-trained, with phenomenal transferrable skills to take into civilian life.”
For more on Veterans’ Gateway, see , call 0808 802 1212 or text 81212.
And go to for its vacancies.
So sick of your job?
COULD the stress of your job be making you ill?
Pressure at work can sometimes bring out the best in employees – but too much can have a very negative effect on their health.
High blood pressure, sleeping problems and regularly feeling run-down are some of the signs that your job could be taking too high a toll on your well-being.
Here, Dr Ellie Cannon, author of Is Your Job Making You Ill?, reveals what to look out for.
- BRAIN FOG AT WORK: You suddenly find it hard to make decisions, are gripped by a sense of uncertainty, dread the next day and feel trapped by work demands.
- SLEEPING PROBLEMS: A very clear sign you are stressed. Typically when work is making you anxious, it can be hard to fall asleep as you churn over worries in your mind.
- HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: If you are finding your blood pressure difficult to control, this may be job-related.
- YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO BE ILL: Stress affects the immune system, weakening its resistance against common infections like colds.
- Is Your Job Making You Ill? by Dr Ellie Cannon (Piatkus, £14.99) is out now.
JOBSPOT: KWIK Fit is recruiting for a service technician at its branch in Hove, near Brighton. See .
Creative minds
IT was once seen as a disability but being dyslexic could put you at the top of the pile when it comes to employers.
Pip Jamieson founded The Dots, a professional network for creatives. She believes dyslexia can actually be a superpower for landing a job.
She says: “People with dyslexia tend to be smart and, with tools such as spell-checkers, now the condition is more manageable. Dyslexics are highly creative and many recruiters put creativity at the top of their wish list.”
With 40 per cent of self-made millionaires being dyslexic – Richard Branson, Anita Roddick and Steve Jobs all famously struggled with their reading and writing – she could have a point.
You can get more information at .
Whole host of options
HEATHROW Express is overhauling its ticketing infrastructure and will be recruiting 40 new customer hosts.
With the introduction of the Crossrail Elizabeth Line later this year, new ticket barriers will be put in place, as well as new ticket machines and hand-held terminals for staff. Londoner Kirsty Sando, 32, started as a customer host in 2007.
After three years she became a train driver and at 27 was one of the youngest driver managers in the industry.
Last year she was appointed the firm’s head of drivers.
She says: “Heathrow Express has been really supportive of career progression for women.
“As a result of flexible working choices for drivers, we have probably more women drivers than any other rail company in the UK.”
Go to to get more information.
JOBSPOT: JD Wetherspoon is looking for full-time kitchen staff for The Great Western pub in Cardiff. See .
MOST READ IN MONEY
A Gappy New Year for OAP
ONE lucky pensioner is set to land the job of their dreams – getting paid to go on holiday for a year and write a blog about their experiences for the price comparison website .
The winner of the site’s Senior Gap Year competition will be given £10,000 to go on at least eight trips on their ultimate gap year.
He or she will also be kitted out with a video camera to record their adventures.
Pictures and video clips will then be published on the company’s website to inspire other potential globetrotters who are getting on in years.
launched its search after conducting a poll of 2,000 people in which more than a quarter regretted not taking a gap year to go travelling when they were younger.
The winner of the contest will be chosen by mid-March.
To enter, candidates must say why they would make the best gap-year candidate, in 200 words.
To find out more, see and search Senior Gap Year Job.