Support for NHSScotland employers
We recognise the knowledge, skills and experience that exists within the armed forces community and how they can enhance our workforce and the service we provide to our patients.
How the Armed Forces Talent Programme supports workforce attraction
The Armed Forces Talent Programme (AFTP) was established to support increased numbers of people from the armed forces community to enter our workforce by:
- Raising awareness of our career opportunities and existing pathways and inspiring potential applicants to pursue them.
- Mapping our workforce needs to existing knowledge and skills profile of the armed forces community and identifying and developing new pathways where appropriate.
- To lead and support NHSScotland colleagues in understanding the knowledge, skills, and experience available within the armed forces community.
- Providing a mechanism to bring together all the activity and partners working in this area so that the NHSScotland workforce benefits.
- Acting as a source of information and guidance to NHSScotland boards, partner organisations, and the armed forces community on workforce-related matters.
Support offered to our NHSScotland boards extends to:
- Overseeing the NHSScotland AFTP Regional Working Groups.
- Delivery of awareness-raising sessions for NHSScotland managers.
- Providing professional advice and guidance to boards looking to engage with the armed forces community, including vacancies, placements, and enquiries.
- Working with boards to align vacancy and workforce needs to the applicants within the armed forces community.
- Acting as a central point of contact for partner organisations and NHSScotland boards for regional and national activity and events.
We also support NHSScotland boards in meeting their Armed Forces Covenant employment-related pledges.
The AFTP team
Our team is made up of experienced colleagues with extensive NHS and armed forces experience. We know both NHS recruitment processes and the armed forces community’s bespoke circumstances when seeking employment.
We offer advice, guidance, and tangible support to those considering a career within NHSScotland. We also help our NHS colleagues better understand the benefits of employing members of the armed forces community.
If you have an enquiry or wish to request support for a particular piece of work, please email us at nes.armedforces@nhs.scot
Manager awareness sessions
A series of manager awareness sessions and resources are available to help hiring managers understand the armed forces community's range of experiences, values, transferable skills, and much more.
Contact the team by email to find out more about these sessions and associated materials - nes.armedforces@nhs.scot
Become an AFTP ambassador
If you're an NHSScotland employee with an armed forces community background and would like to support the programme's work, please register as an ambassador.
Navigate page
Meet the team
The team bring their knowledge and experience to support the armed forces community and NHS employers. Discover how the Armed Forces Talent Programme team can help you.
Learn more
AFTP ambassador stories
Hear from our AFTP ambassadors who have brought their knowledge, experience, and transferable skills to a new career in the NHS.
Discover more