We recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by members of the Armed Forces community, and the unique skills and attributes they bring to our workplace. We are committed to ensuring better access to employment opportunities, support, mentoring, and work placements for transitioning personnel, reservists, veterans, and partners of serving personnel and veterans, and adult cadet force volunteers.
We support the Armed Forces community in the following ways:
- we are members of the Defence Employers Recognition Scheme, and we actively encourage other employers to engage in this scheme
- we provide 10 days paid special leave to reservists to undertake required annual training without sacrificing their annual leave
- we provided up to 45 hours per year special leave for adult cadet force volunteers to undertake required annual training without sacrificing their annual leave
- we can provide flexible working to partners or spouses of serving personnel to help them manage periods of deployment
- we have a special leave policy to support partners or spouses of veterans and serving personal to help manage sickness and/or injury
- we have an armed forces staff network who meet and receive targeted covenant updates
- we provide work experience and mentorship to members of the armed forces community
- our own induction process for new council employees includes information about the Armed Forces Covenant and the key commitments we are working to uphold
- we advertise our vacancies with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and Forces Families Jobs (FFJ)
Our employees share their thoughts
Capt John Pearce did a placement with the through care team at Portsmouth City Council:
“I served 24 years in the Army and felt ready to start a new career. In the Army I was an instructor with a focus on coaching and developing young people to reach their full potential. Portsmouth City Council could see that my service had given me experience in managing complex issues. They offered me work experience with the Through Care Team. In this role I used my skills with young people who had experienced trauma. It was really rewarding and led to me a getting full time paid position in the team. I am now employed as a full-time reservist with the experiences gained within the through care team added to my skill set. I would recommend a work placement like the one I had to anyone leaving the forces.”
Helen is a communications and engagement officer (health & social care), at Portsmouth City Council:
“Portsmouth City Council has gone above and beyond in enabling me to maintain my own career while supporting my partner. By being able to work mainly remotely with monthly visits to the office I have been able to move with him to where he is posted, while keeping my own job. I am very grateful to my colleagues and the council for their flexibility and understanding which has made things really easy for us.”
Other support
We know that successful employment is more likely if other key areas are also addressed. We also offer the armed forces community support with access to healthcare, education, family well-being, and having a home.
In addition to the council, there are a number of local services that can support you with employment and finance: