Finding Direction

What's next after serving your country?

Having spent 10 years serving his country, including two tours of Afghanistan, Darren Entwistle wanted to spend time with his 11-year-old daughter and enjoy seeing her grow up.

He left the Royal Logistic Corps and headed to his local Jobcentre Plus in Leigh, Greater Manchester to get help finding a career after the Army. 

In fact, he was lined up with a job interview almost immediately.

Darren said he was impressed with the support he got during his first appointment with his work coach.

"The Jobcentre had a look at my CV, and saw there was loads of driving on there and asked me if I’d ever considered driving a tram - I’ll give anything a go."

 

"The support I got was absolutely brilliant, I couldn't have asked for anything better"

"The woman in the office was really helpful, everyone at the Jobcentre was, and it was always dead polite.

“They put in a word for me with recruiters and Metrolink. I then got through to the interview phase, which I passed, and I got the job."

Darren has been in his role for a year now and says he's enjoying it.

"Driving a tram is quite different to being in the Army, but the leadership skills are important"

The Department for Work and Pensions is proud to honour the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families are treated fairly.

The network of local Armed Forces Champions ensures that serving personnel, veterans and their families get the right benefits advice and all the help they need in finding a job.

It's also put in place a number of measures to support veterans and exemptions from requirements for claims to certain benefits.

Furthermore, DWP recognises that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for the wounded, injured and sick.

 

"Dealing with the public, you have to be calm and patient - which is no different to leading soldiers" 

The Armed Forces Independence Payment recognises the unique support needs of seriously injured veterans. 

You can find out about this and other support here.

It also works with employers across the country so that they understand the benefits of employing former servicemen and women, and the need for flexible employment policies because service families need to move around.

If you run a business or are responsible for recruitment, you can demonstrate your support for the Armed Forces community and find out more information about how you can help.