Northrop Grumman

Defence company Northrop Grumman highly values veterans, providing skilled jobs where their experience directly solves customer challenges. Their sites across the UK bring together specialists to develop pioneering defence and security technologies for the Armed Forces and UK Government. Veterans can continue serving post-retirement, with training for those needing to build certain skills. Benefits equal or exceed the military's. In 2022, Northrop Grumman hired 3,300 veterans globally. Over 50 are employed in the UK, with partnerships supporting veterans' job search and upskilling. The Head of Talent, not recruitment, manages these, recognising many veterans don't directly apply for advertised roles. Informal discussions align candidates to suitable roles with support. Centrum Solutions helps transition elite athletes and forces into business roles. Optilearn trains ex-military in transferable skills; Northrop Grumman has hired two through this. It also works with QA and Tech Returners. For early careers, Northrop Grumman partners WithYouWithMe, providing on-the-job training for neurodiverse, ex-military and spouses. Participants join 'Squads' for peer support. Each has a veteran buddy for transition help. After 12 months, they may become employees. The graduate programme includes a four-month academy. Continuous development is encouraged, including mentorships, accelerators and leadership programmes. The NG Academy is a four-month technical programme for early careers, teaching broadly to enable career changers. In the US, the VERITAS group supports the Armed Forces community. This will extend to the UK, with a 2023/4 buddy programme. Hybrid and remote work is available from day one, benefiting 80% of staff. Compressed fortnights suit nearly 60%. These aid inclusion, as do quiet pods for neurodiversity and adjustable desks. Reservists get paid leave and protected benefits.