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Leaving the armed forces can feel like standing at the bottom of a mountain. The skills and discipline from service are valuable, but translating them into a civilian career isn’t always straightforward. Operation Ascend (Op Ascend) is the UK government’s latest initiative to guide veterans up that mountain – providing free, personalised career support to help ex-forces personnel (and their families) find meaningful jobs in civilian life. Launched as an expansion of earlier programs, Op Ascend is designed to be simple, accessible, and effective – a helping hand for veterans to climb to the next level in their post-service careers.
A Clear Path from Service to Civilian Work
Op Ascend’s main goal is to ensure all veterans, no matter when they left service, have access to guidance and opportunities for good jobs. In the past, support was strongest for those just getting out (for example, through the Career Transition Partnership resettlement program). Now, Op Ascend extends a helping hand to any veteran at any stage, whether you left 6 months ago or 6 years ago. It even welcomes veterans’ family members, recognising that spouses and partners might also need career assistance when military life changes.
This free service is run by the Forces Employment Charity with funding from the UK government. In simple terms, that means the government is backing it financially (about £2.1 million in funding), and an experienced military employment charity is delivering the support on the ground. The structure is a two-way street, Op Ascend not only helps veterans directly but also works with employers. By partnering with industry groups and businesses, it makes sure companies understand the value veterans bring and are ready to hire them.
Veterans’ Minister Alistair Carns has called Op Ascend “a natural extension to the government’s resettlement scheme,” saying it enables veterans “to further maximise their potential and take their careers to the next level.” In other words, Op Ascend is about fulfilling the promise to those who served – renewing the nation’s contract with ex-servicemen and women by helping them build rewarding civilian careers.
Hands-On Career Support for Veterans
What kind of career support can a veteran actually get from Op Ascend? The program offers one-on-one advice from specialist career coaches who understand the military background. When you sign up, an advisor (often a fellow veteran or someone experienced with military transitions) will work with you on whatever you need next. This includes practical help and guidance such as:
• Writing a CV and preparing for interviews. If it’s been a while since you had to write a CV or face a job interview, Op Ascend experts help you translate your military achievements into terms civilian employers appreciate.
• Exploring new industries. Many veterans want to break into sectors like energy, digital tech, telecommunications, construction, or data – fields that are growing and need skilled people. Advisors provide tips on entering these new sectors, including what additional training or certifications might help.
• Navigating veteran-friendly employers and schemes. Op Ascend connects you with companies known to recruit ex-military. You’ll get tips on how to navigate recruitment schemes or apprenticeship programs run by veteran-friendly employers, making the application process less daunting.
• Access to job fairs and networking events. The service keeps you informed about employment fairs and “Pathway” events specifically for veterans. Attending these can put you face-to-face with recruiters who understand your background.
• Advice on retraining or starting a business. For those considering going back to school, learning a trade, or even launching a small business, Op Ascend provides guidance on next steps and connects you with resources to retrain or get entrepreneurial support.
All of this support is free of charge. The advice is tailored to each individual – whether you’re a former infantry soldier aiming to become a project manager or a military spouse looking to restart a career after moving around, Op Ascend’s advisors personalise the help to your goals.
A British Army veteran named Sam, for example, secured a role in the energy industry as an analyst thanks to Op Ascend. “I found Op Ascend online, and was assigned a mentor to help me navigate the process… Knowing there are people around that care and want to see you succeed… there’s the tangible impact of the employment events – they’re actionable, you can go ahead and do something with it,” Sam said, describing how both moral support and practical job events made a difference for him. His story is one of many showing how the program turns guidance into real jobs.
Real Impact: Success Stories and Growth
Though Op Ascend is relatively new, it’s already making an impact. So far, 3,000 veterans and family members across the UK have been helped to take the next step in their careers. This might mean a veteran landed an interview they wouldn’t have otherwise, gained confidence in a new industry, or even started their own business with support from the scheme. The program has also engaged over 300 businesses to become more veteran-friendly.
Companies like Centrica have partnered with Op Ascend and benefited by hiring ex-military talent. “Working with the Forces Employment Charity through the delivery of Op Ascend has enabled high-calibre service leavers and the wider military family to bring their significant talent and skillsets into our organisation with confidence,” said Ian Fortune of Centrica. In short, veterans are contributing their leadership, reliability, and fresh perspectives to businesses – and those businesses are thriving with this diverse talent.
Op Ascend also hosts targeted events such as a recent “Women into Employment” initiative aimed at female veterans and spouses, helping bring in diverse backgrounds and experiences into companies. These success stories and initiatives highlight how Op Ascend isn’t just about getting any job, but about finding meaningful, sustainable careers where veterans can continue to grow.
Backed by Government and Partners
One of the reasons Op Ascend is able to offer such comprehensive support is the strong backing from the government and partner organisations. The UK Government – through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and Ministry of Defence – has committed significant funding (around £2.1 million) to expand this programme. This funding ensures the service remains free and accessible nationwide.
On the ground, the Forces Employment Charity (FEC) runs the day-to-day program. FEC has years of experience helping former service members find work, which means veterans using Op Ascend are in capable hands. The initiative is also teaming up with industry bodies and charities. A veteran-focused group called Mission Community works alongside Op Ascend to engage trade associations and large employers in various industries.
By educating employers and even pushing for cultural change in how industries view ex-military candidates, these partnerships make civilian workplaces more welcoming for veterans. In practice, Op Ascend encourages participating employers to review their recruitment and retention policies to better include veterans, and to host networking or hiring events specifically for the armed forces community.
What Op Ascend Means for Veterans
For veterans, Op Ascend essentially means you’re not climbing the post-military career ladder alone. There is now a clear, easily accessible support system ready to coach you, advocate for you, and connect you with opportunities. Whether you’re transitioning to civilian life now or you did so years ago and feel stuck in your job hunt, Op Ascend is there to help you move forward.
In simple terms, Operation Ascend is a boost of confidence and practical know-how for those who served. It means the experience you gained in uniform can launch you into a fulfilling next chapter, whether that’s in engineering, IT, construction, or any field you choose.
