Our programme and its deliverables

Hiring Manager Awareness sessions

In December 2025, the AFTP delivered the first of a set of Hiring Manager Awareness Sessions around the benefits of recruiting individuals from the Armed Forces Community. These sessions were hosted online to allow for greater accessibility from national attendees and delivered several clear benefits:

• Increased confidence among hiring managers
  • Managers felt more assured in engaging with candidates from the Armed Forces community and making informed recruitment decisions.

• Improved understanding of the Armed Forces community
  • The sessions helped build awareness of the unique backgrounds of service leavers, veterans, and military families, including their experiences and challenges.

• Recognition of transferable skills and value
  • Hiring managers gained a stronger appreciation of the leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and discipline that Armed Forces candidates bring to civilian roles.

• Identification of knowledge gaps
  • The sessions highlighted areas where further learning and resources are needed, helping shape future training and support.

• Momentum toward more inclusive recruitment                             
  • They encouraged a shift in mindset, supporting more inclusive and equitable recruitment practices within NHS Scotland.

The sessions were well-received, indicating strong interest and buy-in from hiring managers, which is key for sustained change. They also created a platform for future initiatives, such as expanded participation, targeted resources, and alignment of recruitment policies. Overall, the sessions strengthened both awareness and capability, while also driving progress toward a more inclusive recruitment approach.

Further Hiring Manager Awareness Sessions are planned for delivery in May 2026, with additional sessions later in the year.

Have a look at our Manager Awareness guide

Webinars

The AFTP run weekly webinars for anyone wishing to apply for a role in NHS Scotland, with a focus on supporting those from the Armed Forces Community.

Intro to NHS Scotland                                                                         

Provides an overview of how NHS Scotland works, the wide range of roles available, and the values that underpin the organisation. This session helps individuals understand where they might fit and how their background could translate into a meaningful career.

Application Process

Learn how to navigate the NHS Scotland recruitment process with confidence. This session walks candidates through each stage, from searching and applying for roles to shortlisting and interviews, helping to avoid common pitfalls and present a strong application.

Skills Alignment

Discover how to identify and articulate transferable skills. This session is particularly useful for those transitioning from a military career, helping match your experience to NHS roles and clearly demonstrate value to hiring managers.

Surgery

An informal, interactive drop-in session where potential applicants can ask questions and get personalised advice. Whether it’s feedback on an application, clarification on a role, or general careers guidance, this is the opportunity to get tailored support.

Ambassadors

Armed Forces Ambassadors play a vital role in supporting the Armed Forces community across NHS Scotland. Acting as local champions, they help raise awareness, build connections, and ensure that service leavers, veterans, and military families are recognised, supported, and encouraged to pursue careers within NHS Scotland.

The Ambassador network continues to grow, with 96 representatives across NHS Scotland - an increase of 43% since March 2025 - reflecting strong engagement and commitment across Health Boards. Through a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel and regular weekly meetings hosted by the Armed Forces Talent Programme, Ambassadors are connected, informed, and equipped to share best practice, promote opportunities, and strengthen collaboration.

Ambassadors also play a key role in outreach and engagement, supporting recruitment fairs, events, and webinars. By sharing insight, offering peer support, and acting as visible advocates, they help create a more inclusive recruitment environment and ensure NHSScotland benefits from the unique skills, experience, and values of the Armed Forces community.

If you're an NHS Scotland employee with an Armed Forces community background and would like to support the programme's work, please register as an ambassador.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Cadets

The Armed Forces Talent Programme (AFTP) is proud to support the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Cadet Programme, helping create clear and supported pathways into NHS Scotland careers for young people with connections to the Armed Forces community.

Following initial consultation, NHS Lothian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and NHS Lanarkshire were selected as host Boards for the 2025/2026 RCN cadet cohorts. With AFTP funding support, 49 cadets were successfully recruited through interview, with the first group commencing in January 2026 and a second cohort due to begin in May 2026.

Cadets undertaking placements through this initiative have already demonstrated exceptional potential and impact. Success stories include individuals applying life-saving skills in real clinical settings and securing unconditional offers for Adult Nursing roles, highlighting both the quality of candidates and the strength of the programme.

As a funding partner, AFTP plays a key role in enabling these opportunities and strengthening collaboration between the RCN, Cadet Forces, and NHS Scotland. With funding secured for 2026/2027, the programme will continue to grow, supporting future cohorts and helping build a skilled, motivated, and diverse workforce for the NHS.

To register interest in the RCN, please visit RCN King's Nursing Cadets | Royal College of Nursing

Reports

The Armed Forces Talent Programme (AFTP) produces a range of reports and documents to share progress, highlight impact, and support continuous improvement across NHS Scotland.

Our Manager Awareness Guide captures the outcomes and learning from engagement sessions delivered across Health Boards, showcasing increased confidence, improved understanding of the Armed Forces community, and key recommendations for strengthening inclusive recruitment practices.

In addition, the AFTP Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of activity, achievements, and partnerships over the past year. It highlights key milestones, programme growth, and the ongoing impact of initiatives designed to support service leavers, veterans, and military families into NHS careers.

Together, these reports offer valuable insight, promote transparency, and provide practical guidance to help build a more inclusive, informed, and sustainable workforce. Both reports are available to view and download, enabling colleagues and partners to learn from progress and contribute to future developments.

Paid Placements

Designed to recognise and harness the exceptional skills developed in military service, The Armed Forces Talent Programme connects with participants and continues to create meaningful pathways for service leavers and veterans through paid placements across 2025 and 2026, connecting highly skilled individuals with vital roles across Scotland’s health service.

Through these tailored placements, the Armed Forces Talent Programme enables NHS Scotland to benefit from the leadership, adaptability, and operational expertise of Armed Forces personnel, while supporting participants to build sustainable civilian careers within a values-driven organisation.

The programme has engaged a wide range of national and regional Boards, including NHS Education for Scotland (NES), National Services Scotland (NSS), Public Health Scotland (PHS), NHS Fife, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Highland, and NHS Tayside with the following placements being offered to candidates:

• Senior Assistant Technical Officer (AfC Band 3) in NHS Fife
• 2x Project Support Officer (AfC Band 5) in NHS Education for Scotland
• Project Support Officer (AfC Band 5) in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
• 2x Project Support Officer (AfC Band 5) in NHS Highland (People & Culture)
• Project Support Officer (AfC Band 5) in National Services Scotland (Climate Change, Environment & Sustainability)
• Project Support Officer (AfC Band 5) in National Services Scotland (Digital & Security Business Units)
• Project Support Officer (AfC Band 5) in NHS Tayside
• Senior Learning & Development Officer (AfC Band 6) in Public Health Scotland

From these paid placements, 3 of the candidates have gone on to secure permanent roles within NHS Scotland.

Whether you are looking to begin your next chapter after service or seeking to strengthen your workforce with outstanding talent, the Armed Forces Talent Programme provides a bridge between military excellence and civilian success – please sign up to our subscriber list to receive more information on our activities here

Events

The Armed Forces Talent Programme plays an active role in connecting service leavers, veterans, and employers through a dynamic programme of hosted and attended events.

Throughout the year, the programme delivers a range of tailored events designed to support candidates at every stage of their transition into civilian careers. These include insight sessions, employability workshops, and employer engagement events, offering practical guidance, networking opportunities, and direct access to organisations committed to Armed Forces talent. Each event is designed to build confidence, showcase transferable skills, and open doors to meaningful employment pathways.

In addition to hosting its own events, the Armed Forces Talent Programme regularly attends recruitment events such as those hosted by the Careers Transition Partnership and Officers Association Scotland, industry exhibitions, and Armed Forces community events. By maintaining a strong presence across these platforms, the programme raises awareness of opportunities, strengthens partnerships with employers, and ensures that service leavers, veterans, forces families and the extended armed forces community can easily access support and career opportunities.

Together, these events form a vital part of the programme’s mission - creating connections, sharing opportunities, and supporting successful transitions from military service into rewarding civilian careers.