A SCHEME to “level the playfield” in the job market for soldiers’ wives and partners has been launched in Colchester.

Frequent moves around the country often make it difficult for military wives to develop careers of their own, and a network of Armed Services Champions is being created at JobCentres to help them find jobs and training.

The champions, jointly run by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Defence, will also offer support and advice to soldiers leaving the forces and veterans.

Government ministers Lord McKenzie and Kevan Jones visited Colchester’s JobCentre yesterday to launch the national scheme.