Helping service people transition into new careers: Jacob Welsh

A former Royal Navy non-commissioned officer who embarked on a new career with one of the UK’s biggest recruitment firms is drawing on his own experience to help ex-forces personnel find employment.

Jacob Welsh joined Meriden-headquartered Pertemps Network Group in 2021 after a decade of service in the Royal Navy.

Now, in his role as Pertemps’ Armed Forces liaison co-ordinator, the 32-year-old former Leading Hand is helping service leavers and veterans into post-military careers.

While many service leavers struggle with the transition into civilian life, they also leave the armed forces with a diverse range of skills which make them highly versatile and sought after by employers.

Upon signing off from the military, service leavers enrol in a programme known as a Career Transition Partnership (CTP), where they receive support with career choices, CV writing and obtaining relevant qualifications.

Jacob and his team then assist “work-ready” candidates to identify suitable jobs – and, crucially, ensure hiring firms are tapping into their broad skillsets.  

He explains: “For many service leavers and veterans, their Forces career is all they have ever known.

“I understand exactly what they’re going through and our team helps them make that transition.

“Another factor is that many of them will have carried out roles that civilian companies won’t understand or are tricky to explain on a CV.

“For example, my Naval job title was Abovewater Warfare Tactical (AWT). Putting that across on a CV is difficult because there’s no “trade” behind it, as such.

“But what Forces personnel do have is lots of transferable skills.

“For example, if they were a tank driver, they will have vehicle technician skills. They would have serviced the vehicle and made sure it is running every single day.

“And although they don't get qualifications from it, it may be a starting point for them to go into a company as a maintenance engineer.

“That’s why we’re here. We can advise companies and help portray how those transferable skills will benefit them.” 

Jacob’s association with the military began as a teenager when he enlisted in the Navy and twin brother Bobby opted to join the Army.

He was mostly stationed in Portsmouth – fulfilling a number of roles, from working on Type 45 Destroyer ships to patrolling UK fishing zones.

Now a father of two, family life was the main factor in his decision to leave the Forces and return to his home town of Rugeley in Staffordshire.

With Pertemps’ help, Jacob went through the same process as the ex-military personnel he now supports.

“I landed on my feet by going through the same process as those that I’m now helping.

“I initially applied for a role with Pertemps and spoke with Darren Knight (Pertemps’ Armed Forces liaison manager).

“He decided to put me forward for another role because it was a better fit – which is what we try to do with our service leavers. I interviewed for it and the rest is history.”

Pertemps’ offer to the wider Armed Forces community extends to supporting spouses and partners of personnel who are required to relocate.

It’s a part of military life that Jacob says is often overlooked.

“Service people can move anywhere across the country and will sometimes only stay in one place for two or three years,” he adds.

“Nine times out of 10, their families will move with them. Because Pertemps cover both permanent and temporary work, we can speak to our branches in different parts of the country to find out what employment is available in that area.

“The families are just as important because they pick up their lives and move with the service people.”

Find out more information on Pertemps’ work with the armed forces community: https://www.pertemps.co.uk/about-us/armed-forces-support/