Armed Forces at Tesco
Bringing together former and current members of the armed forces, and their families. Ensuring they are supported with transition from military life, their families have the advice and support they need and helping colleagues who are reservists.
Our History
As a business, we’ve had a long-standing association with the Armed Forces ever since our founder, Jack Cohen started Tesco back in 1919 after leaving the Royal Flying Corps at the end of the First World War.
Almost one per cent of all veterans leaving the Army join Tesco, and as the UK’s biggest private sector employer, we want to do everything we can to support our Armed Forces colleagues so that our business continues to be a place where everybody’s welcome and anyone can get on.
We're dedicated to supporting colleagues by:
Transition Assistance: Helping those moving from the Forces into Life at Tesco.
Family and Community Support: Assisting families and the broader community with the unique challenges of military life.
Volunteer Recognition: Championing those who volunteer their time as Reserves or Cadet adult instructors.
Armed Forces Covenant
We are proud to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment to support the Armed Forces Community and recognise the value Armed Forces colleagues contribute to our business and our country.
The signing of the Armed Forces Covenant commits Tesco to uphold its key principles including:
• Supporting veterans who have left the Armed Forces with employment at Tesco
• Aiding spouses and partners of serving personnel to get jobs at Tesco stores
• Ensuring flexibility around life changes due to partners’ military service so colleagues are not disadvantaged
• Promoting the Reserve Forces to Tesco colleagues
We estimate there’s about 20,000 Armed Forces colleagues at Tesco doing various roles across the business. Our network brings together both former and current members of the Armed Forces and those who want to show their support, as well as coordinating activities to help colleagues meet each other and find their way at Tesco.
Working with the CTP
At Tesco, we recognise the transferable skills and qualifications gained whilst in military service. We work in collaboration with the Careers Transition Partnership (CTP) to support armed forces leavers in securing their next civilian job. By attending careers events hosted by the CTP, we have helped forces leavers secure jobs as:
• Tesco Maintenance: Electrical Technicians, Mechanical Engineers, HVAC/Refrigeration Engineers, Drainage Engineers, Store Technicians and Management
• Drivers (HGV, Delivery)
• Warehouse Operatives & Management
• Office Colleagues (Information Security)
• Store Colleagues & Management
Working with Troopr
At Tesco, we understand the importance of ensuring people who serve, have served, and their families have access the support they need. That's why we partner with Troopr, the UK’s first dedicated marketplace for the Armed Forces community. Troopr offers access to employment, housing, finance, wellbeing, and community resources. This centralised platform brings together jobs, events, services, support, and discounts, making it easier for the Armed Forces community to find the opportunities they deserve.
