Recruit for Spouses Career Academy Recognised with BAE Systems Award

We’re so proud to announce that we have been awarded the BAE Systems Chairmans Award!

This was to recognise our Career Academy and BAE Systems volunteer coaches for their contribution to supporting British military and veteran spouses into work.

Soon to be celebrating its fifth anniversary, our Career Academy provides military and veteran spouses a tailored, career-focused journey comprising six one-to-one sessions with a coach. To date, 228 spouses have completed the coaching programme, equating to over 2000 hours of coaching. There are currently 40 coaches actively working with RfS, around half from BAE Systems.

BAE Systems has supported the programme since its inception, providing funding and encouraging employees to volunteer their time and experience. To date, BAE Systems volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours of coaching, directly supporting almost 50 spouses.

Thomas Doherty, Head of Group Community Investment at BAE Systems said, “It’s an absolute privilege to work with Recruit for Spouses and support their mission to bridge the gap between employers and the spouses and partners of serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans. This award recognises that vital work, as well as our employees who volunteer their time to coach military spouses and help them gain greater access to employment.”

On hearing the outcome of the award ceremony, Becky Hopwood, RfS Senior Coaching and Mentor Manager, was delighted: “To receive the nomination, let alone the award, is a huge honour. This achievement is thanks to the commitment shown by all our coaches, the contribution and support from BAE Systems and their volunteers and our military spouse community who put the hard work in to their individual coaching journeys to achieve the goals they set for themselves.”

Jacqueline Glover, a military spouse coached by a BAE Systems employee said “RFS Career Coaching has by far been the most helpful service I have signed up to whilst searching for a new career as a military spouse. They really take the time (out of their busy full-time job!) to understand you and your situation and what it is that you’re struggling with. After an initial chat, I attended a number sessions over the phone where I was guided, step-by-step, on how to narrow down a new career option that would suit me and my skills. Now, after receiving their help to tailor my CV, I finally feel like I have a clear career goal in mind and I’m able to make progress moving forward, feeling much more confident in myself and what I have to offer!”

The BAE Systems Chairman’s Awards recognise employees and partner organisations who go above and beyond, whether by excelling for customers, advancing technology solutions, driving operational excellence or helping build a sustainable future.