From Military to Construction: How Veterans Are Building New Careers in the UK

Military personnel transitioning into civilian careers in construction recently visited the Benwell Dene housing development in Newcastle. This visit, hosted by Lovell, a national partnership housing specialist, was part of its sponsorship of Building Heroes, a charity supporting service leavers, veterans, and military family members in finding meaningful second careers.

Hands-On Experience

The group of 13 learners, who completed a five-week course at the Building Heroes Academy at Darlington College, gained first-hand experience of a live building site. This initiative is part of the charity's efforts to provide barrier-free, funded training and employment support in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Success Stories

Among the participants was John Kirtland, a 40-year-old Army Air Corps warrant officer, who now holds a Level 1 City & Guilds Diploma in construction skills and various other qualifications. John shared his gratitude for the opportunity, highlighting the transition support provided by Building Heroes.

Lovell's Commitment

Lovell, a gold sponsoring partner of Building Heroes since October 2024, has enabled over 25 service leavers to access training programmes and employability services. The company has also hosted 70 military learners on site visits and provided four work placement opportunities.

A Legacy of Support

With a long-standing association with the Armed Forces, Lovell has worked on several service family accommodation schemes and the pioneering Drummond Park development in Wiltshire, where veterans helped build homes they would eventually live in.

Future Opportunities

Naz Singh, Health, Safety and Environment Manager at Lovell, emphasized the company's commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring fair treatment for service members and their families. Lovell continues to support retraining and repurposing skills learned in the forces for rewarding careers in the housebuilding industry.