The Welsh Government is joining the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative, which will help veterans from across the UK join the Civil Service.

The scheme, which was recently launched by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the Cabinet Office, is designed to encourage more veterans to join the Civil Service when they leave the Armed Forces, ensuring the Civil Service benefits from the wide-range skills and talents in the armed forces community.

It will also boost the employment prospects of people who have served, helping them to advance their careers beyond the Armed Forces.

Launching the scheme in Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “During the pandemic we have seen serving personnel and veterans support our communities as we respond to coronavirus together.

“The Welsh Government will be all the richer for having the skills and talents of veterans working in our Civil Service. We’re looking forward to welcoming Wales’ ex-Service personnel take their next career step with us.”

Peter Kennedy, director of HR at the Welsh Government and also a veteran, said: “Having served my country with the RAF, joining the Civil Service was similar to another posting in terms of the people I have worked with since – there is a similar sense of team and camaraderie.

“I hope the Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme leads to many more colleagues following a similar path.”