Today, as the nation pauses to reflect on the 81st anniversary of VE Day, the Going Forward Into Employment (GFIE) team joins the country in honouring the courage, resilience, and ultimate sacrifice of those who secured peace in Europe.
VE Day is more than just a date in our history books; it is a reminder of the incredible skills, discipline, and "can-do" spirit that defined a generation. At GFIE, we see those same qualities every single day in our Veteran and Military Spouse community.
Our Mission: Closing the Gap
Our mission is simple yet vital: remove barriers to life-changing career opportunities within the Civil Service for those who have served, and the people who support them.
We don't just "fill roles." We advocate for the unique value that the Armed Forces community brings to the workforce:
- Adaptability: The ability to thrive in rapidly changing environments.
- Leadership: Proven experience managing teams under pressure.
- Problem Solving: A natural aptitude for finding solutions when things don't go to plan.
I joined the Army in 1998 and completed a 24- year career; 12 years as Army Air Corps groundcrew, then 12 years in the Intelligence Corps. In that time, I did the usual tours including five 6-month tours of Afghanistan, two 6-month tours of Iraq, other operational activity in the middle-east and UK, plus endless exercises in the UK and overseas, particularly Canada and Germany, finally going through the resettlement process in 2022.
The main positive from my perspective to the pathway was that it was a “foot in the door” to the Civil Service (CS). CS recruitment is a bit of a dark art if you don’t know how to write competencies effectively, and the GFIE pathway got me in. Since joining and completing my probation, I have changed roles twice and been promoted twice in 4 years and there’s plenty more career progression opportunity if I choose to go for it''.
Out in the Community: From the Office to the Track
We believe the best way to support our community is to be in the community. We spend the year traveling to employment events meeting candidates face-to-face, raising awareness of GFIE and our unique application process for the opportunities we are able to offer.
High-Speed Connections at Silverstone
A particular highlight for us this year was attending the Mission Motorsport National Transition Event at the iconic Silverstone Racetrack in March.
At this event we had the privilege of meeting many veterans and spouses. It was a fantastic opportunity to:
- Discuss how military skills translate into Civil Service employment.
- Offer guidance on the GFIE application process and how to register interest.
- Connect with spouses who often face unique barriers to employment.
I enjoy working for HMRC. There is career progression (if you want it) and personal development opportunities; work-life balance is great too. Added bonus for me as a service leaver were the familiarity of a chain of command, supportive colleagues plus genuinely interesting work’
As we celebrate the peace won decades ago, we remain committed to our veterans and families of today. Whether you are a veteran looking for your next endeavour or a spouse seeking a stable, rewarding career, GFIE is here to help you navigate the journey.
GFiE Veteran & Military Spouse/Partner pathway
We would like to extend our appreciation to all who continue to help support GFiE , whether through the employment opportunities you provide, or by supporting us within our networks.
The GFiE life chance pathway for veterans & military spouses focuses on matching veterans and spouses with roles in the Civil Service.
If you would like to discuss providing employment opportunities within your department to the Veteran community, or via one of the other GFiE Pathways you can find more information at Civil Service Careers GFiE Pathways page, or you can contact us at GFiE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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