Employment

Employment

It’s likely that employment will change when a move occurs, especially for military spouses. The information below will provide you with employment assistance information and resources available such as Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, My Career Advancement Account Scholarship program and Military Spouse Employment Partnership Portals.

Employment Opportunities

Like many other overseas locations, Royal Air Force Mildenhall can be a challenging environment for spouses and family members seeking employment. It is not unusual for applicants to wait six months or more to find employment that matches their education and/or experience. The length of time spent unemployed varies with the applicant’s skills, determination and timing. The job market is continually changing as people relocate into and out of the area.

The Military and Family Readiness Center is an excellent resource for obtaining information regarding employment opportunities both on and off base. Employment assistance at the M&FRC includes resume review, tips for successful interviewing, self-assessments and job search guidance. The M&FRC has an "Eyes on Jobs" Facebook group, which provides information on current job vacancies both on and off base.

On-Base Employment
On-base jobs consist of federal, Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF), contracts, AAFES and Local National Direct Hire (LNDH).  LNDH positions are open to British and European citizens, who based on their specific situation, may have the right to work in the UK. Federal civil service requires United States citizenship and NAF positions are open to all North Atlantic Treaty Organization citizens. Additional on-base opportunities can be found at the banks, credit unions, commissaries and Department of Defense Dependents Schools. Spouses are required to be command sponsored.

Opportunities may be found on these websites:

• USAJOBS including NAF (www.usajobs.gov)
• LNDH (www.mildenhall.af.mil/Info/Civilian-Personnel/)
• Defense Exchange Commissary Agency/Commissary (www.commissaries.com)
• DoDEA (www.dodea.edu)

Off-Base Employment
Retail, manufacturing and services comprise much of the job market in towns close to the base. Job prospects are good depending on qualifications and type of employment sought, but there is competition. Higher paying positions and professional positions may require you to drive further away from the tri-base area. If working off base, you must have a vignette in your U.S. no-fee passport and a national insurance number, which you can apply for upon arrival. This allows you to work in the U.K. without additional work permits. Websites to assist with off-base employment search include www.interactionrecruitment.co.uk, https://www.gov.uk/find-a-job and www.suffolkjobsdirect.org.

Employment Documentation

New arrivals that will be seeking employment should hand carry important work history documents instead of packing them in their household goods shipments. This includes documents such as current resumes, educational transcripts, diplomas, certifications and licenses, Social Security card, past performance evaluations, notice of personnel actions and clothes suitable for job-hunting/interviewing. Supporting documentation needed when applying for federal jobs can be saved to your account on www.usajobs.gov prior to arrival.

Additional Resources

SECO is a Department of Defense program that provides education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide. Resources can be found online at https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil. The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship program is a workforce development program that provides eligible military spouses with financial assistance for licenses, certifications or associate degrees to pursue an occupation or career field. For information on MyCAA, please visit https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil. Another resource available through SECO is the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, which helps spouses find jobs with military-friendly employers. Employment opportunities are stateside, but this can be a helpful tool for spouses as they prepare to leave the U.K.

Family members who are leaving a stateside job should inquire at their specific state unemployment office on whether they can qualify for unemployment benefits due to moving for the military. Policies can vary state by state, so research is the best option for determining if the benefits can be applied for your move. Unemployment benefit eligibility can be explored on state websites in the commerce and employment sections.