Supporting veterans into civilian careers: Thales' mission with Connectr Talent Technology

Thales is committed to hiring a minimum of 100 service leavers as part of its Gold status Armed Forces Covenant pledge. This isn't just a recruitment drive - it’s a recognition of the untapped potential in the veteran community and the tailored support they deserve.

With a strong existing network of ex-forces employees, Thales already benefits from a passionate and supportive veteran community. These individuals are ideally placed to act as trusted platform advocates and advisors helping incoming service leavers navigate their next steps with confidence.

Much like the successful approach taken with school and university leavers, Thales recognises that veterans have a distinct set of needs. Through a bespoke solution co-developed with Connectr Talent Technology, Thales is building a bridge from military to civilian life, backed by real people who’ve walked the same path.

What Is Thales Hoping to Achieve?

Working with Connectr, Thales aims to:

• Empower veterans to self-select into the roles and business units that best match their interests and strengths. ‍
• Provide meaningful support for challenges common to service leavers; such as translating military experience into “civvy street” language, preparing for interviews, and understanding the full scope of their potential.

This sits within a wider talent strategy focused on inclusive hiring, reducing barriers, and creating meaningful pathways for underrepresented groups to thrive at Thales.

Veteran voices front and centre

Thales collaborated closely with Connectr and its internal veterans’ network to ensure the platform reflects the lived experiences of service leavers. These discovery conversations shaped everything from platform content and language, to where and how the platform should be promoted.

Key areas informed by this research include:

1. The tone and style of platform messaging
2. The importance of relatable peer advocates
3. How to align content with the realities of transition from military to civilian careers

After months of planning, development, and collaboration, we’ve launched Thales’ Armed Forces Connectr platform— a platform built with the military community, for the military community.

Whether you’re a Veteran, Reservist, Service Family member or volunteer, this platform is your space to uncover Thales as a potential next step in your career journey. With information spanning the markets we lead, to the cultures we foster. You’ll learn of the many policies we have in place to make sure that all members of the armed forces community, including their families, can thrive at Thales

Don’t believe me? Ask our Advocates - who are our current employees from our very own Armed Forces Network, volunteering their time to answer any questions you may have about joining us, from those who truly understand your journey.If you, or someone you know is part of the military community, please share this platform and encourage them to read through our resources.

This platform is there to provide support, guidance and piece of mind to those outside of Thales. We need you to help us reach them.

Lindsey Beer, HR Director, Talent, Learning & Culture for Thales UKHR Director, Talent, Learning & Culture for Thales UK

The solution

Connectr’s candidate experience platform has been built to reflect the real needs of service leavers, as voiced by Thales’ veterans network.

From day one, the experience has been tailored to demystify the civilian hiring journey. Interactive CV and interview modules help veterans reframe their experience and build self-confidence, translating military skillsets into language that aligns with civilian job specs. On-demand resources—such as department explainers and “day-in-the-life” videos—equip users with a clearer understanding of roles within Thales, easing the leap into unfamiliar environments.

What truly sets the platform apart is its focus on peer-led support. Veteran mentors provide lived-experience guidance, while community spaces for underrepresented groups foster inclusive, safe connection.

Crucially, advocacy is driven by veterans themselves, building trust and authenticity in every interaction. And with self-directed learning pathways, users progress at their own pace—ideal for those adjusting from highly structured military systems to more fluid civilian careers. In short, Connectr empowers service leavers with the tools, insight, and confidence to successfully transition—and thrive—at Thales.

Key Insights for employers hiring military veterans

🎯 Recruitment & Application

• Modesty is a barrier: Veterans often undersell themselves, shaped by a forces culture that downplays individual achievement.
• Job specs confuse more than they clarify: Long lists of qualifications and unclear civilian job titles are off-putting.
• Language is everything: Translating roles into “military speak” improves application rates and reduces dropout.
• Perfectionism holds people back: If a veteran doesn’t meet 100% of the criteria, they’re likely to opt out entirely.

🗣️ Communication & Language

• Avoid military rank mapping: Ads aligned to rank can alienate as much as they inform.
• Civilian-friendly language wins: Veterans prefer plain English that reflects real responsibilities.
• Peer-led translation works: "Squaddie speak", used by companies like AWS, builds trust and relatability.

🧭 Career Path & Visibility

• Show the big picture: Veterans want to understand how a career can progress post-transition.
• Clarity = commitment: Structured career pathways help reduce churn and foster engagement.
• Make departments visible: Veterans want to know what different teams actually do.

🫂 Culture, Identity & Belonging

• Networks matter: Veterans, LGBTQ+ employees, and women want to see communities that reflect them.
• Cap badge culture is powerful: Enabling reference to regimental identities helps build common ground.
• Walk the talk: Veterans are drawn to organisations where others like them are visible and supported.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Onboarding & Transition

• Broken onboarding breaks trust: Delayed contracts and poor communication derail engagement.
• Start support early: Contact during notice periods and pre-start network access improves retention.
• Clarity helps ease anxiety: Veterans benefit from knowing what a “normal” day looks like.
• Mentorship makes the difference: Structured, visible mentoring builds early confidence.

🧠 Mindset & Support

• Veterans don’t want to be boxed in: Support should focus on future potential, not just past service.
• Peer messages build belief: Veterans trust other veterans more than corporate comms.
• Keep it human: Informal prompts like “Don’t overthink it—just reach out” go a long way.

🗣️ Trust & Advocacy

• Credibility is key: Veteran-led initiatives carry more weight and drive better outcomes.
• Authenticity isn’t optional: Veterans quickly spot tokenism—your approach must be real, not performative.

How our technology supports veteran transitions