Why the built environment provides a great career path for military leavers

Matthew Bartlett - The Rifles

A career in the built environment offers ex-military personnel an excellent avenue for transition to civilian life, leveraging their unique skills and experiences.  Military training instils discipline, leadership and a strong work ethic, which are invaluable in project management roles within the built environment.  Our work demands precision, strategic planning and the ability to operate under pressure - skills honed through military service.  The structured nature of military life aligns well with the necessary protocols and procedures essential for successful construction projects.

Moreover, a career in the built environment provides a sense of purpose and community, which can also be crucial for veterans adjusting to civilian life.  Projects often have tangible, impactful outcomes - such as building homes, schools and hospitals, allowing veterans to continue contributing to society in meaningful ways.  In particular, I have found that my colleagues at G&T have been interested and supportive of my previous military career, eager for me to pass on the many lessions I learned through my service.  It is also immensely rewarding to have joined a firm that is trusted by clients to deliver award-winning and high profile schemes, with some of the best designers in the world.

The industry is known for its diverse career paths and advancement opportunities, from hands-on technical roles to high-level management positions, ensuring that veterans can find a niche that suits their skills and interests.

Willem van Zyl - 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery

In my current role I support clients developing and delivering major infrastructure projects.  This requires careful stakeholder management, leading small teams of specialists and providing clear communication to instil confidence in the team and client.

For me, there are three key elements that drew me to the built environment and specifically G&T:

1. the strong sense of likeminded people - importance of community, shared objective, "playing your part in a bigger picture"
2. utilising my leadership and management skills in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
3. building projects is all about people and looking after each other - something that is ingrained in military life

Looking back at my choice, I can honestly say that it was the right decision for me and would encourage anyone thinking about it to reach out to find out more about it.

Dave Schirn - The Royal Engineers

This would have been my 24^th year of service had I stayed in and therefore feel it an appropriate time as I empathise with a number of my friends I served with as they make the ‘leap of faith’ into civvy street. The reality is, that leap of faith isn’t the chasm that it is sometimes portrayed.  So why did I 'sign off'?  An opportunity presented itself from a company that was actively seeking ex-military to carry out maintenance Planning and Scheduling across power stations nationally, which was completely alien to the trade I had learnt at #42EngineerRegt (Geo).  This opportunity opened my eyes to what else was available to me outside of what I learned as my military trade.

What did the Army teach me?  In retrospect it was Adaptability and Resilience, which veterans have in abundance making them a valuable asset to a project environment.  Most veterans have the ability to thrive in dynamic and challenging situations, especially those that have experienced multiple tours.  In the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of the built environment, where projects often encounter unexpected obstacles, veterans' ability to quickly adapt and find a solution is particularly beneficial and therefore provides a natural transition into project/commercial management or project controls.

Furthermore, one trait of a veteran - and one I try to instil for junior/graduate members of staff - is a strong work ethic, integrity and sense of responsibility.  Employers can rely on veterans to demonstrate dedication, punctuality and a willingness to go above and beyond to deliver, all of which are crucial attributes within the construction industry.

A career in the built environment can offer a remarkably suitable transition pathway for military leavers, utilising their work ethic, leadership skills and adaptability honed through service.

Find out more about transitioning to a career at G&T here.