The 11th of November 2019 marks 101 years since the end of the First World War and Armistice Day is being commemorated with a range of tributes and commemorations across the UK.  

They follow the traditional National Service of Remembrance, which was held at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday the 10th of November.  

Royal British Legion detachments formed on Horse Guards Parade then marched from Wellington Barracks. A two-minute silence was marked, beginning with a gun salute at Horse Guards Parse. 

The Nation’s Thank You procession included 10,000 military men and women, veterans and members of the public marching past the Cenotaph to pay respects.  

A Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving was also held at Westminster Abbey. 

Liverpool’s commemoration service was led by the Lord Mayor at the Cenotaph on St George’s Hall Plateau and in Southampton a service was preceded by a parade from Guildhall Square to the Cenotaph. 

Birmingham’s Remembrance service was held on Colmore Row with a parade – including detachments from service, regular, reserve and cadet units – marching from Temple Row. 

Both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day offer an opportunity to remember those who fought and the ideals they fought for. 

Of course, armed forces personnel still protect our country and uphold our freedom every day. But what happens after they leave active service? 

Almost 15,000 former military personnel enter the civilian job market every year and it’s estimated the number of service leavers will continue to rise.  

The good news is there’s an incredible variety of jobs where veterans can truly excel, using many of the core skills learned in the defence of our nation and transferred to a civilian career. 

One social enterprise has a mission to help more leavers find new independence through employment. 

Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, which is a division of Royal British Legion Industries, offers factory-setting initiatives run by trainers with years of experience in manufacturing and engineering. 

Not only is this a fantastic programme for veterans seeking training, it highlights how it’s possible to transfer military-made skills into civilian sectors. 

Many more organisations also provide roles specific to the employment of ex-service personnel. Network Rail, for example, are fully committed to helping personnel reintegrate into successful civilian careers. 

One of the reasons for this is they know applicants bring with them an incredibly strong skill set that includes dedication, determination, discipline, the ability to stay calm under pressure and a sense of leadership that offers decision making at the highest level. 

The company work in tandem with the Career Transition Partnership and the Officers Association to make sure all applicants are given full support. 

Another sector that holds military personnel in the highest regard is the Oil and Gas industry. 

Here many UK and global companies are plugging a growing skills gap with new recruits from the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force – renowned experts in electrical and mechanical engineering, logistics and project management. 

Many will already be familiar and comfortable with working in offshore operations and in foreign countries and being away from home for extended periods of time. 

Frontline action will often involve building base camps, bridges and defences, as well as repairing important infrastructure, including power lines, roads, hospitals and schools. This is why veterans are also in high demand in engineering, manufacturing and renewable energy. 

Many MoD service leavers land fantastic jobs through managed learning programmes. These provide full training to gain the relevant qualifications that lead to roles such as electrical and gas engineers. 

Not surprisingly, another of the most easily transitioned career moves for military professionals is into security. 

This line of work involves everything from organising and implementing security at major events, such as sports tournaments and music concerts, to the management of security and safety at construction sites, offices, factories and hospitals. 

There are also roles available in close protection, public space surveillance and guarding cash and valuables in transit. 

For specialist positions such as these, applicants typically will need to undergo a short training period to gain a Security Guard Licence, which is issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and is valid for three years. 

In our highly connected and digitalised existence, security concerns also exist online that affect many areas of everyday lives. With their heightened security awareness and detailed problem-solving skills, candidates with experience in forensic military investigations can transfer their know-how to cyber security in the world of IT. 

On x1jobs former service personnel can find a range of roles that will bring out the very best of their hard-earned skills and dedication.  

And, as the armed forces place great emphasis on the importance of discipline, self-motivation and leadership, many vacancies offer fast-tracked routes to leadership roles. 

If you’d like to find a secure and financially rewarding career after life in the military, check out x1jobs.