Government Employment Services Explained

There's free employment support for service leavers and veterans, and which part of it you use depends on how long ago you left.

The Career Transition Partnership covers your final two years of service and the two years after discharge. It runs workshops, courses and a jobs portal, and gives you a career consultant.

If you left more than two years ago, Op ASCEND is the equivalent. It's run by the Forces Employment Charity and it's aimed specifically at veterans past the CTP window.

Jobcentre Plus sits underneath both of those and is open to everyone — a work coach, job-search support and access to training.

Who is eligible?

Everyone who has served, though the specific service depends on timing. CTP if you're within two years either side of your discharge date, Op ASCEND if you left longer ago than that.

Jobcentre Plus is open regardless of when you left or how long you served.

The Civil Service guaranteed interview scheme has its own test: at least one year's service in the Regulars or Reserves, including training, and you need to be in transition from or to have left HM Armed Forces. There's no time limit on using it, so it's still available years later.

What benefits does this provide?

  • Career Transition Partnership (CTP): Expert advice, workshops, events, training courses and a searchable jobs portal, for those in their final 2 years of service or discharged within the last 2 years.
  • Op ASCEND: Free specialist employment support from the Forces Employment Charity for veterans who left service more than 2 years ago, including tailored career pathways and direct access to veteran-friendly employers.
  • Jobcentre Plus: A work coach, job-search support and access to training, available to everyone.
  • Guaranteed interviews in the Civil Service: Under the Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme, a veteran who opts in and meets the minimum criteria for a role progresses to the next stage of selection — an interview or an online test.
  • Advance into Justice: Roles in the justice sector open specifically to veterans and their spouses or civil partners.
  • Charity-run employment support: CV and interview help through the Royal British Legion's LifeWorks, the Poppy Factory for veterans managing a health condition, and X-Forces Enterprise for those going self-employed.

How do I apply?

  • Start with the service that matches when you left: In your final 2 years of service, or within 2 years of discharge, register with the CTP. If you left more than 2 years ago, register for Op ASCEND with the Forces Employment Charity.
  • Claim your resettlement entitlement early: Your resettlement provision — including Graduated Resettlement Time and the IRTC grant — is arranged through your unit's resettlement staff, and some of it expires on discharge. Start well before your last day.
  • Book a Jobcentre Plus work coach: Arrange an appointment through GOV.UK. In Northern Ireland, use JobApplyNI instead.
  • Opt into the veterans' scheme on Civil Service Jobs: When you apply for a Civil Service role, confirm that you served in the armed forces to be considered under the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
  • Check you meet the guaranteed-interview criteria: You need at least one year's service in the Regulars or Reserves — time spent training counts — and to be in transition from, or to have ceased to be a member of, HM Armed Forces. There is no time limit on when you can use it.
  • Search the job services: Use the GOV.UK Find a job service alongside the CTP portal.
  • Get your CV reviewed: RBL LifeWorks and the Officers' Association offer free CV and interview coaching.

Common questions

What free employment support can veterans get?

The Career Transition Partnership, Op ASCEND from the Forces Employment Charity, a Jobcentre Plus work coach, and charity-run help through RBL LifeWorks, the Poppy Factory and X-Forces Enterprise.

Can you still use the CTP after you have left?

Yes, for up to 2 years after discharge. If you left more than 2 years ago, Op ASCEND from the Forces Employment Charity is the equivalent route.

Do veterans get a guaranteed interview for Civil Service jobs?

Yes, under the Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme. Opt in when you apply on Civil Service Jobs and, if you meet the minimum criteria, you progress to the next stage. You need at least one year of service and there is no time limit on using it.

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Last reviewed 26 August 2026 by Brittany Belt, Co-founder and COO