Move forward with the Ex-Forces Programme
A career programme for ex-forces personnel seeking to pursue a civilian career
Career opportunities for ex-forces personnel
Our Ex-Forces Team are committed to supporting your transition into a civilian career within the technology sector, across various industries. Choose from either a business, or more technically oriented role. Plus, get fully funded training, industry-recognised qualifications, ongoing support and commercial experience with leading global companies.
Welcoming all ranks and services
The programme is designed for ex-forces personnel by ex-forces personnel.
Whether you have just left the armed-services, police force or have some other military or industry experience, our team will support you every step of your journey. The FDM statistics reflect this dedication. Since 2014, over 750 ex-forces individuals have joined our programme and successfully transitioned into a new civilian career.
Choose from a wide variety of specialist roles, while receiving the training required to secure an entry-level position.
What you’ll do on the Ex-Forces Programme
We recognise that ex military, army and policing backgrounds equip veterans with a range of transferable skills and valuable life experience. From “soft” skills such as leadership, to technical skills and team work, our goal is to develop and transfer your existing skills into a language the corporate world recognises. Our programme is intended to help you capitalise on the qualities you already possess to prepare you for the civilian career path ahead of you.
The training
Through the FDM Virtual Academy, you will undergo 5 – 14 weeks of fully funded, instructor-led training, developed to enhance your existing skill set and provide industry-recognised certifications in technical or business disciplines. You will have the opportunity for peer networking and access to learning platforms.
Hands-on experience
After successfully completing the training, you will have the chance to gain practical experience, working on critical national infrastructure services projects for government agencies, or major transformation change programmes in financial services. We also have strong connections with top employers who recognise the diverse skills and experience that ex-forces personnel offer.
Ex-Forces Career Programmes
Which programme is right for you?
Our Ex-Forces Career Programme
is designed for ex-forces personnel from any service or rank who are looking to start a new career path.
Our Ex-Forces Advanced Programme
is targeted towards service leavers and ex-forces personnel who have demonstrable leadership and management experience.
FDM Insight Days
Not sure what career path is best for you?
Join our Ex-Forces Team at one of our upcoming insight events, in-person or virtual, and find out everything about the FDM Ex-Forces Programme.
Support and Development for the Ex-Forces Community
We go above and beyond to support ex-forces personnel and serving reservists: our Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award and Employer of The Year at the British Ex-Forces Awards reflects our active support of various military charities. We are also strong advocates of diversity, social mobility and inclusion. Our global team is made up of 95 nationalities, who speak 50 languages, across 17 countries.
CEO
Communications
up-to-date regularly through LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
Check out #RodsRoundUp videos to find out more.
The FDM Programme in numbers
Application Process
3
Telephone Screening
4
Assessment
5
Join the Programme
Meet our dedicated Ex-Forces Team
Stewart Sharman MBE
Global Head of Ex-Forces
Ex-British Army Colonel (Retd), Royal Corps of Signals
Connect on LinkedIn
Norman Yarwood
Regional Manager, Scotland
Ex-British Army WO1, Royal Corps of Signals
Connect on LinkedIn
James Murray
Head of Recruitment, Ex-forces Programme
Ex-British Army, Corps of Royal Engineers
Connect on LinkedIn
Darren Fuller
Regional Manager, South
Ex-British Army, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, The Parachute Regiment
Connect on LinkedIn
Wesley Hutton
Deputy Manager (UK), UK EFP Bench Manager, EFP Consultant Success Manager
Ex-British Army, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Mercian Regiment
Connect on LinkedIn
Jamie Dalton
Ex-Forces Recruiter
Ex-British Army, The Royal Regiment of Scotland – The Black Watch
Connect on LinkedInWhat our consultants say
Sarah Gear
Solution Architect
Royal Air Force
After training in Project Management, I was offered a job with a major bank as an IT Project Manager. When my placement ended, I converted to a permanent role with the client and I am now working as a Solutions Architect in Wealth & Personal Banking, providing technical leadership, strategic direction and solution design.
Cristan Massey
Service Delivery Manager
British Army
The experience I gained in the Ex-Forces Programme has given me a wide range of knowledge of the tech industry. FDM understands the difficulty that comes with transitioning into a civilian career and assists with that massively. I am now a Service Delivery Manager for a leading tech services business, and without FDM I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Maclean Arthur
PMO Lead
British Army
FDM recognised and built on my military background and skills, providing me with the industry standard training and qualifications required to get into the project environment. I have worked on a number of immensely interesting projects, one of them being a research programme to develop plans for a conventional satellite navigation system.
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