CareerForces is a recruitment social enterprise that helps service leavers move into meaningful civilian careers.
Founded by Andy Howe after a long career in the Army and civil service, the organisation provides mentoring, career guidance and access to employment opportunities across sectors including construction, logistics, engineering and housing.
Since launching, CareerForces has supported more than 1,600 service leavers as they transition into civilian work.
Now part of the VGC Group, CareerForces is in a stronger position to expand those opportunities and connect veterans with employers across infrastructure, construction, transportation and energy.
Ciara Pryce, CEO of VGC Group, said:
“I’m pleased to announce that VGC Group has acquired a majority stake in CareerForces, marking an important step in our growth strategy and strengthening our long-standing commitment to the defence and veterans community.
This partnership enables us to significantly expand our capability in supporting service leavers, reservists and veterans into meaningful, sustainable careers. For VGC, this move reinforces our belief that the skills, discipline and values developed through military service are highly relevant to the future of UK infrastructure, construction and engineering.”
Who is Andy Howe?
Andy’s route into founding CareerForces started long before 2019.
Most of his family had run businesses of their own, but at 16 he chose a different path and joined the British Army as part of the Royal Engineers. He went on to build a long career in the military and later continued serving through civil service roles connected to the Ministry of Defence.
For Andy, the armed forces provided structure, responsibility, friendships and opportunities that stayed with him throughout his career. His experience working with veterans shaped how the organisation approaches career transition support.
CareerForces was built in part from a desire to give something back to the community that had given him so much.
The Story Behind CareerForces
CareerForces was founded to address a challenge Andy had seen while working with service leavers: to help veterans move into meaningful civilian careers that suit their skills and personal circumstances.
Andy Howe said:
“One of the first questions we ask service leavers is what they want to do next. In many cases, the answer is silence. Around 70% simply don’t know. They’re presented with lots of opportunities and advice, but without clear direction it can be difficult to decide which path to take.”
Many veterans leave the forces without a clear plan for their next career. While transition support exists, it often focuses on job placement rather than helping individuals identify a longer-term direction.
CareerForces begins by understanding the individual. Their motivations, family circumstances, preferred location and the type of work they want to pursue after service.
These conversations often start informally at career fairs and transition events. Early discussions help service leavers identify realistic career paths and connect with employers who value their experience.
Helping Service Leavers Find Direction
The organisation supports service leavers into careers across a broad mix of sectors and locations.
While construction and infrastructure are important markets, CareerForces has also worked with employers in housing, logistics, manufacturing, medical services, fitness and leisure, and other specialist industries.
Veterans supported by CareerForces have moved into roles across the UK and overseas, including in Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar.
“Not every service leaver wants the same thing, and not every veteran should be channelled into the same type of role.”
Supporting Employers and Veteran Charities
CareerForces was established as a recruitment social enterprise. Alongside helping service leavers find civilian careers, the organisation was designed to deliver social value for the wider veteran community.
- Employers gain access to experienced, reliable candidates.
- Service leavers receive mentoring and access to career opportunities.
- Businesses contribute to veteran employment and community initiatives through their involvement.
Supporting charities alongside employment remains an important part of the CareerForces mission.
The organisation works with the On Course Foundation, which helps injured veterans rebuild confidence and skills through golf.
Each year CareerForces hosts a charity golf event that brings veterans and business leaders together. The event raises funds for the foundation and creates opportunities for employers to meet and support members of the veteran community.
Why CareerForces Joined VGC Group
As the organisation grew, it became clear that further development would require greater operational support and a wider employer network. CareerForces had been largely built and run by Andy himself, which placed limits on how far the model could expand.
Joining VGC Group provides the structure and scale needed for the next stage of growth. The partnership connects CareerForces with a broader range of employers and projects across construction, highways, infrastructure, transportation and energy.
For Andy, the decision came down to alignment. Both organisations share a focus on workforce development, social value and supporting the armed forces community, and are holders of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.
Looking Ahead
As part of VGC Group, CareerForces can now offer wider access to opportunities for veterans, service leavers and blue-light leavers. This includes roles across major UK industries where skills shortages remain a challenge and where veterans can bring immediate value.
For employers, that translates to access to a specialist recruitment partner that understands both the needs of the business and the realities of transition from military to civilian life.
For candidates, there’s mentoring, career support and a broader range of career pathways.
Andy also sees future potential to widen support further, including initiatives connected to veterans’ families and longer-term transition support.
Chris Ryan, COO of VGC Group, added:
“CareerForces brings deep expertise and trusted relationships across the defence sector, which will support our continued growth across highly skilled and regulated markets.
Over the coming months, we will be working closely with the CareerForces team to ensure a smooth transition and to expand the opportunities this partnership will create for clients, partners, and the defence community. We look forward to sharing more updates as we embark on this important next chapter.”
If you are a service leaver looking for career support, or an employer interested in hiring veteran talent, contact CareerForces at: info@careerforces.co.uk
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