Season’s Greetings: Reflecting on 2025 and Renewing Our Commitment for 2026
Firstly, can we start by saying a huge thank you to our partners, supporters, volunteers, allies and all those who have leaned in to make this another important year of progress for Mission Community and more importantly, for those that we serve. The Armed Forces Community.
Our focus, as an organisation, is to Celebrate, Contribute and Support the Armed Forces community in UK society- we are part of a concerted effort by the third sector, government and veterans themselves to change the narrative around veterans and the wider Armed Forces community. We have a shared belief that service is recognised, valued and underpins UK society.
In 2025 we have not only built on the initiatives of 2024, but we have also enhanced and developed more.
Our unique event returned to Silverstone for its 5th year. NTE offers a unique opportunity for the Armed Forces community to connect with companies and organisations who value their skills and experiences. It's a chance for meaningful engagement with those who understand the transition from military to civilian life. Attendees gain first hand insights from ex-military employees, receive tailored advice and explore a variety of life-changing opportunities. It's an event that recognises the potential of the Armed Forces via the creation of ‘a community of communities’ and is far from a traditional employment fair!
This year we welcomed over 1900 members of the Armed Forces Community. Every single part of the Armed Forces community is represented at NTE. From Cadets to Reservists, family members to Veterans, as well as many who are still serving. We were very pleased to welcome, the Armed Forces Minister Al Carns MP, as well as the support of the local MP and Shadow Junior Minister Sarah Bool MP.
NTE is by no means a traditional recruitment fair. It serves as a standalone, unique entity that brings all sectors of industry and the Armed Forces Community together. It offers insight, awareness, opportunities and the ability to break down perceived barriers that may be a hinderance to members of the Armed Forces Community achieving sustainable, meaningful employment post serving their country. Through highlighting and enhancing the Armed Forces Networks within organisations, facilitating in-person Armed Forces Covenant Signings (14 at NTE2025), NTE helps shine a light on the transferrable skills that the Armed Forces Community can bring to industry as well as helping to empower those who have served, realise their potential.
Mission Renewable - Clean Energy Jobs Pilot
Mission Renewable is the Armed Forces engagement initiative for UK Clean Energy. Formed to harness the opportunity for skills migration from the veteran community into jobs in the clean energy sector and addresses the transitional needs of service leavers at the same time.
October 2025 saw the launch of a new scheme announced to help the armed forces community find clean energy jobs in the east of England. Clean energy industries, including offshore wind, have been unveiled by Mission Community, RenewableUK and the Government.
This launch coincided with the publication of the Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan which sets out how to maximise employment opportunities in renewables and nuclear power across the country, creating over 400,000 new jobs by 2030.
Mission Renewable has already worked with RenewableUK and the Offshore Wind Industry Council at a national level, helping former members of the Armed Forces and their families to make use of their valuable transferable skills in the renewable energy sector. This is an exciting evolution of this initiative.
The Clean Energy Jobs Pilot was launched in December 2025. This initiative will bring together the valuable skills of veterans with the needs of employers and the targets of the clean energy sector, addressing critical labour gaps. It will provide tailored support, from initial engagement with veterans through to securing sustained employment. This was delivered by Mission Community in conjunction with the Office Veterans Affairs, DESNZ and RUK.
We are also maintaining and developing our role as secretariat of the Military Working Group of the Offshore Wind Industry Council, thus furthering our knowledge and engagement within the renewable and clean energy sphere. We have also additionally held a Community Webinar with our Trade Partner, Renewable UK.
Building on the success of Mission Automotive, we attended Automechanika 2025. This saw our illustrious CEO, James Cameron, showcase the work that Mission Community are doing within the sector and shone an additional light on how companies can further enhance their contribution to the combined effort around the Armed Forces Community. At this event we hosted a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and SMMT which provided unique industry access to the MOD and a leading Trade Body. Additionally, we were able to facilitate Armed Forces Covenant signings at the event.
On the back of Automechanika 2025, we collaborated with our trade partner SMMT and delivered a webinar to over 150 of their member organisations, their most subscribed online event.
Manufacturing Sector
British manufacturing needs great people – and through our work in the automotive and renewable space we’ve been seeing the impact that veterans and their families are having – after service - in driving UK manufacturing. We were really proud to help the Advanced Manufacturing Catapult’s Armed Forces Covenant signing at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in July, and 2026 will see the launch of our sector initiative, Mission Manufacturing.
2025 has seen us work extensively and closely with our Trade Partner, industry body Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and the development of a Manufacturing Sector Guide and the engagement of a Manufacturing Roundtable, to further enhance and hone our sector delivery in 2026. Every two years they bring the industry together for the Manufacturing Industry’s MACH Event, held at the NEC and MACH26 will host the launch of the Mission Manufacturing Sector Guide.
Land Sector
We have built foundations within the Land-Based sector with a draft sector guide and trade groups identified.
Both the The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture and the Institute for Agricultural Engineers signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. at NTE
We are excited to be working with the Institute for Agricultural Engineers on a skills translation campaign.
As we continue to build on early successes, keep an eye out for more news in 2026!
As we approach the festive season, we hope everyone within our community enjoys a well‑deserved rest. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. Thank you for your continued commitment, energy and belief in the work we do together. We look forward to building on this year’s progress and continuing to serve the Armed Forces community with purpose and passion in 2026.