Work experience for Service leavers with Cummins Darlington
Category: Recruitment
Publish date: 03/04/2023
Earlier this year, 3 Service leavers – Gary Hogan, Chris Jones and Lee Malcolmson – participated in a 3-week work placement at Cummins’ Darlington and Huddersfield sites, from 16th January to 3rd February 2023.
The Cummins Civilian Work Attachment (CWA) was a pilot scheme run through the Career Transition Partnership, which seeks to help Service leavers find employment opportunities in the civilian market.
Gary, Warrant Officer Class 2 in the British Army, is leaving service after a career of almost 26 years this May. Having joined the Army as a Junior Mechanic, he then became an Engineering Manager and is currently serving as a Senior Equipment Support Operations Manager, responsible for the delivery of mechanical equipment support to the Army’s land fleet and weapons system.
Alongside Gary was Chris, a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy who is leaving service after 14 years in May. Chris served as an Aircraft Engineering Technician (Mechanical), and is currently supporting Wildcat helicopters through the delivery of Aircraft Support Packages, and managing maintenance and repair teams.
Finally, Lee Malcolmson is a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, leaving service after more than 22 years in July. Lee specialises in the Operational Maritime Supply Chain and is currently employed in a leadership and mentoring role in the training environment.
Speaking about their experience of the Cummins CWA, Gary said:
“The opportunity to experience the civilian workspace is something many Service leavers never receive until they have been discharged from their respective service. It’s a daunting position to be in, seeking employment following a prolonged career in the military with little to no exposure to the civilian working environment.
"Highly motivated individuals with years of experience across a vast array of locations worldwide, Service leavers have a lot to offer a civilian business but may not necessarily know where to aim their skills. The CWA process, and specifically Richard and Lisa’s mentorship throughout, has provided us with a soft landing and given us real insight into what life beyond the forces may look like.”
Chris added:
“The CWA at Darlington has seen us gain insight into an array of business functions, from being an operator on the line, through to the test and pilot cells, and into VPI, product development and management positions. The opportunity to build a network of contacts in a short space of time has been fantastic. If any of us do manage to find a role with the business, that network will be invaluable. Knowing that we have skills beyond our professional and educational qualifications that can be utilised in areas we may never previously have considered, is something that I personally will take away from the experience and that has broadened the list of roles I would consider applying for.”
Mick Cairns, Veteran and HSE Leader at Cummins Darlington then said:
“Schemes such as the CWA are immensely important. We’re always working with our Veterans Employee Resource Group to find ways of supporting Service leavers, and it’s been fantastic to run the pilot scheme and have 3 individuals successfully complete it, with such great feedback too. We hope this’ll then feed into future job opportunities.”
Richard Twinn, Project Manager of the Cummins CWA pilot scheme said:
“I vividly remember the peaks and troughs of my own resettlement journey when leaving the Royal Navy in 2018. And so, to work for a company like Cummins that wants to understand these challenges and help our Service leaver and Veterans community through this journey, has truly been a privilege. It’s great to know the Cummins CWA has helped Chris, Gary and Lee regardless of where they land in civvy street. And we’ve made it clear that we’d like to seem them all again soon.”