Employment in the Highlands
Transitioning from military to civilian life involves significant change, making careful planning essential. The Careers Transition Partnership offers resettlement advice to all members of the Armed Forces. Here, you can learn about the programmes you are entitled to.
Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Government's national skills agency, works closely with the Careers Transition Partnership. They provide support for service leavers, veterans, and their families, including those of serving personnel.
Support to help you find employment is available from a wide range of organisations. Some links are listed below:
- Jobcentre Plus – guidance and local Jobcentre search
- Myjobscotland – vacancies in education, local authorities, emergency services, and charities
- NHS careers and vacancies
- Teach in Scotland – guidance on becoming or returning to teaching, or transferring teaching qualifications
- Forces Recruitment Service – ex-military recruitment specialists
- Recruit 4 Spouses – employment support for spouses of military personnel
- RFEA (The Forces Employment Charity) – lifelong support, jobs, and training for service leavers and veterans
- Salute my Job – assistance for ex-service personnel, including reservists, into employment, along with consultancy, recruitment, and training services for employers
Starting Your Own Business
Organisations offering advice on starting a business include:
- Business Gateway Highland – expert local advice and practical help on starting and managing your own business
- Careers Transition Partnership – advice on entrepreneurship
- New Enterprise Allowance – support to start or develop a business
- X-Forces – training courses supported by partners, offered free of charge
Working for Us
We welcome applications from members of the Armed Forces community.
Applicants who indicate on their application form that they have been serving members of the Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve), or are spouses, partners, or dependents of active personnel meeting the essential requirements, will be invited for interview under our guaranteed interview scheme.
We are also registered with the Armed Forces Career Transition Partnership and have vacancies listed on myjobscotland.
Highland Council Employer Recognition Scheme
We are proud to have received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award in 2021, recognising the valuable contributions of the Armed Forces Community to Highland.
This follows our signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in November 2018, and a Silver Award received in 2015.