Jobcentre Plus and the Ministry of Defence are working in partnership to assist personnel who leave the Services early with their transition back into civilian life.

Each year up to 9,000 men and women leave the Armed Forces before completing their full term of service and would benefit from expert advice on finding alternative careers.

The joint initiative is being introduced as part of a wide package of improvements, which have been designed to ensure that early Service leavers are adequately prepared for a return to civilian life.

From the beginning of April, the MOD will interview all people leaving early to see if there are any specific problems which they might face and brief them on the full range of services and benefits available through Jobcentre Plus.

An interview will be arranged at their local Jobcentre Plus where they will be allocated a personal adviser to help guide them into appropriate employment. They will now also enjoy immediate access to training and other services available under New Deal.

Jobcentre Plus Director, Mark Grimshaw said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the MOD to address the difficulties that some of these people experience when returning to civilian life.

"We have developed a close working relationship with the MOD and are confident that our in-depth knowledge of local labour markets through Jobcentre Plus will enable us to understand the requirements of early leavers and address them accordingly."

The MOD’s Director of Resettlement, Commodore Annette Picton, said: "I am confident that this new joint initiative will ease future early Service leavers into civilian life in the most effective manner possible. This partnership with Jobcentre Plus will bring significant benefits to our people."