400 job rejections for ex-soldier

A FORMER sergeant major has said more needs to be done to help ex-soldiers find work after he applied for, and failed to get, 400 jobs.

Wayne Taylor, 46, is a veteran of both Gulf wars and did tours of duty in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. He left the 26th Regiment Royal Artillery in 2011.

He says that since leaving the Army he cannot find jobs that pay above the minimum wage because he does not have relevant experience.

He said: “They think we were only there to kill people – that’s putting it bluntly but it’s how it is. It’s not easy.”

The former sergeant major said more should be done to “signpost” what options are open to veterans.

Mr Taylor, from Wrexham, Wales, took to standing on a roundabout with a placard reading “Job Wanted. Educated to degree level. Speak to me please” after failing to find work.