From One Rifles to Building Sites: My Journey into Construction
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As an Apprentice with our Supply Chain Partner Moortown Group, Will has transitioned from the British Army into the construction industry with the support of our Building Heroes partnership. In this interview, he shares how he found his new direction, the skills that carried over, and what it’s been like stepping into a completely different world.
I joined the British Army when I was 20 years old, serving with One Rifles, which operates from Beachley Barracks, Chepstow. It was light infantry regiment when I was serving. I did four years in a rifle company then my last stint in a support unit, working with different weapons - anti-tank weapons etc. Part of that time was overseas, but situations like Afghanistan were well before my time. Good regiment, good lads, I can’t fault the experience. I learnt a lot of skills, lived a life where discipline and grafting for your muckers really matters. There are other practical aspects too. Things like health and safety – when you’ve been handling weapons in the Army, you already have massive respect for rules and procedures. There’s an understanding of safety and trustworthiness that I knew I could take into civilian life.
I left the forces at 26, not because I had any complaints about Army life – it’s just part of the job that the Army comes first before everything else – but I was at a point where I wanted more structure and stability in my life. I wanted to be able to plan things and have a different career path ahead of me.
For a while, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do but about six months before I left, one of my sergeants told me about Building Heroes. I just knew construction was something I could do and enjoy.
I attended the five-week course at Building Heroes Darlington Skills Academy. I can honestly say there wasn’t a moment I didn’t enjoy. The course was brilliant – everyone there was from a military background, so we all bonded together straight away. We just had the same attitude, and the tutors understood that completely. They leaned towards us quite a bit and helped us out with our individual situations. I wouldn’t fault them at all.
There was a big spread of experience on the course. I was quite young compared to some of the others – a lot of them were coming towards the end of their careers, having done 19, 20, or even 22 years in the military. Some of the older lads did mention feeling a bit set in their ways, which I suppose is natural when that’s what you’ve done for that long. But I’m sure their attitude and everything they’d learned in the military would help them adapt to whatever they went into.
The course itself was well put together. A lot of it was new to all of us, which was good – we’d build things individually but then do it together as a team. It was all about problem solving and teamwork, which suited us perfectly coming from a military background. It covered the core trades such as bricklaying, plastering, plumbing. During those five weeks, we got our CSCS card and Level One in Health and Safety, so we came away with proper qualifications.
The military definitely prepares you for construction work in ways you might not immediately realise. Sometimes it’s just the smaller things: turning up on time, trying your best, listening carefully, and asking if you’re not sure about something. That attitude just carries over naturally.
The transition from military to civilian life wasn’t as difficult for me as it is for some people. I know a lot of veterans find it challenging, but being surrounded by people from similar backgrounds on the course really helped. We understood each other.
At the graduation ceremony, I was introduced me to Paul Crossland from Morgan Sindall Construction, who also has a forces background. Paul then connected me with Moortown Group, who are a key supply chain partner of Morgan Sindall Construction. I then met the head guys at Moortown, and everyone was absolutely brilliant. I felt they went out of their way for me, which was a big thing. It meant a lot.
I’m now four weeks into working with them on a three-month trial contract. I’m learning everything on the job, which is honestly the best way to learn. The management is perfect – you can approach them and talk to them about anything. At the moment, I’m working on a site in Barnsley and really enjoying it.
I’m not entirely sure what the future holds – I find that question difficult to answer, if I’m honest. But I’m just taking things as they come and learning as much as I can.
If you’re in the armed forces and thinking about your next step, and unsure whether Building Heroes could be for you, I’d say go for it. Obviously, everyone has different career paths and different expectations, but whatever you’re going into, just go for it.