EasyJet has initiated a targeted recruitment campaign, urging veterans of the Armed Forces to leverage the skills they acquired during their service.
The recruitment drive was prompted by a study of 500 veterans, commissioned by the airline, which found that 60% of respondents wanted to see increased support for those transitioning to civilian employment.
It is also part of the airline’s ongoing efforts to hire more mature workers, following data from the Office for National Statistics revealing that 92% of individuals who served in the UK’s regular and reserve armed forces are over 45 years old.
Andy McNab, a former SAS soldier supporting the recruitment drive and the launch of ‘weServed’, stated: “Every year, some 20,000 people leave the armed services and we know it can be a challenge for veterans to find the right career fit.”
“But easyJet has shown it understands the value of their incredible skill sets and can support them with new and rewarding career journeys, thanks to working with weServed.”
Research revealed that 80% of veterans sought new challenges after their service, with 50% expressing a preference for travel-related careers.
Key motivations for joining the travel industry included flexibility, exploring new destinations, and opportunities for skills development, with a third expressing interest in operational roles and a quarter in customer-facing positions.
easyJet is also collaborating with groups that assist former military personnel in transitioning to civilian careers, such as The Career Transition Partnership.
Rosie Delrosario, a former RAF Military transport driver who became a member of the airline’s cabin crew in her late 50s, stated: “I know that veterans who are thinking about joining the civilian workforce may have concerns.”
“But I want them to know that it is possible to have a fulfilling career after service and easyJet provides thorough support and understanding to those of us from a military background.”
