Front Line to the Freight Line: Making New Routes into Stability
After years of dedicated service in the armed forces, many veterans leave the military with strong confidence in their leadership, technical, and problem-solving abilities – skills developed in high pressure environments and tested through real-world experience.
But when it comes to finding work in civilian life, reality often hits hard. Despite their capabilities, many veterans end up in roles that fall far below their potential – low paid, entry level jobs that barely reflect the skills and expertise they’ve gained in service.
According to the UK Veterans’ Survey (2022), more than half (52.5%) of veterans reported taking a job at a lower skill or experience level than their last military role. The most cited reasons were a lack of civilian roles that matched their skills, and employers who either misunderstood or undervalued their military experience.
For countless veterans, transitioning into civilian life is a frustrating battle of having their abilities recognised.
Supporting the Transition
On a mission to help service leavers and veterans build meaningful civilian careers, Veterans into Logistics (VIL) is a dedicated organisation working to prevent the cycle of poverty, mental health decline, and housing insecurity that can follow a difficult transition.
In 2024, their project Holistic HGV Pathway into Employment received funding through the OVA Careers Development programme, allowing them to expand their life skills and employment training offer. The initiative offers a fully funded HGV driver training programme, aimed at helping veterans retrain into stable, long-term employment.
By connecting participants with their growing network of logistics companies and employer partners, the project opens doors to sustainable jobs, a renewed sense of purpose, and a path back to financial stability.
Joshua’s story
Joshua served in the Blues and Royals for around six years. For the first two years, he carried out ceremonial duties, then moved into recruitment, before taking on the role of a CVRT (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked) driver (essentially a small tank operator).
The biggest challenge he faced when leaving the military was returning to family life. Joshua felt like he never truly belonged, often feeling like the black sheep. To make matters worse he found his first civilian job extremely difficult as he was mocked for being a veteran and was eventually wrongfully dismissed, which almost left him homeless.
Joshua decided he needed a career change, so started doing some research and came across Veterans into Logistics (VIL).
He writes: “I’d always loved trucks, possibly linked to my autistic side and I knew HGV driving could provide a good, stable income. That’s when I decided to pursue it.
Veterans into Logistics have completely changed my life. They secured the funding for my Class 1 HGV licence through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and supported me every step of the way and helped me achieve my qualifications. Without their help, I genuinely believe I would be homeless right now.
Thanks to VIL, I gained my Class 1 and Class 2 HGV licences. The support I’ve had has been outstanding from my very first contact, through training and test preparation, to celebrating my success and even ongoing aftercare.
To be clear, the army never gave me this level of support. When I became homeless, I reached out to the Royal British Legion but received nothing. From the moment I called VIL, they were on it straight away.
I’m now employed full time as a tramper (vehicle transporter). The impact has been incredible. Before this change, I was depressed, nearly homeless, in therapy, and stuck in a dead-end job.
Now, I work hard but I’m thriving. I can pay my bills without worry, I’ve been on my first holiday as an adult (I’m 33), and I’ve nearly doubled the salary I earned in my previous job. Looking ahead, my next goal is to get married.
The most significant change has been moving into this new line of work; it has transformed every aspect of my life.
Veterans into Logistics saved my life.”
Driving real change
Over the last 12 months, Veterans into Logistics has delivered a measurable, holistic programme of training and employment support tailored to veterans with unique and often complex needs.
Through this project, 135 veterans have been supported to gain or renew their HGV licence, providing a vital pathway into stable, long-term careers in logistics.
Beyond the licence itself, the programme offers wraparound support including personalised mentoring, CV and interview coaching, digital access, and signposting to benefits and housing services. Practical support such as travel assistance for tests and interviews further reduces barriers to employment. In addition, the project delivers weekly check-ins and provides referrals for mental health and debt advice, while also liaising with partner organisations to help veterans secure safe and stable housing. This whole-person approach not only improves employment outcomes but also helps to reduce dropout rates and supports veterans’ wellbeing throughout their journey.
General Manager, Danielle Sinclair concluded:
“We are both proud and humbled to move people from crisis to paid, regulated employment; reducing isolation via mentorship; and building employer trust in veterans as reliable, skilled employees who boast high retention rates. These achievements provide a strong foundation for the growth of Veterans into Logistics, enabled by the new partnership with Hughes Driver Training.
The support received from the AFCFT has been immense and impactful on supporting VIL to have reached this stage, and we hope we can maintain this relationship as VIL looks to upscale the volume, geographic spread and logistics career opportunities it can provide to vulnerable veteran cohorts”.
Find out more
Read about more projects we’ve supported under the careers development programme here