RAF to WFS - Robert Hardman, World Fuel Services – Defense Solutions
Category: Success Stories
Publish date: 03/03/2021
“As military veterans have made sacrifices in the tireless service of their country, so World Fuel Services will proudly support them on their transition to civilian life and in finding employment. Veterans are talented and committed and we share and value their passion for excellence in service.”
- Michael J Kasbar (May 2020), Chairman & CEO World Fuel Services Inc
Having transitioned successfully from the RAF into a commercial role, Robert Hardman puts a large measure of his success down to painstaking research through CTP to find a company in World Fuel Services. We value the talent that veterans bring and are prepared to invest in the personal development of colleagues. Along his journey, he identifies several skills and competencies nurtured during military service that boosted his opportunities. And he emphasises that leaving the military as a junior rank should not hinder your ambitions for a second career.
In Transition.
After serving 9 years in the RAF as a logistician (trade group 18), I decided to apply for Premature Voluntary Release from my MoD contract. Leaving as a Senior Aircraftsman, I initially felt that I had not progressed professionally. At the time this created a level of self-doubt in my ability and self-worth. But after engaging with the industry and my civilian network, I quickly realised that despite my lack of seniority, I had several valuable and sought-after skills. These included cognitive flexibility, the capability to work alone and as part of a team, time management and the ability to work in highly pressured situations.
The most important lesson I learnt during the initial phase of resettlement was not to underestimate my worth to civilian companies. Rank does not always relate to ability or competencies. The attitude and characteristics inculcated in all military personnel like self-discipline and integrity are highly valued commodities within the commercial world. The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) website proved to be an incredibly useful tool for researching case studies, accessing guides, workshops, and training courses. And I used the website to determine a suitable career path, improve my CV through templates and guides and ultimately look for a job.
Landing in World Fuel Services.
My journey with World Fuel Services (WFS) started with an application made through the CTP online job portal, RightJob, for a position as Operations Support Manager for NCS Fuel (a Danish subsidiary of WFS) in Kandahar Afghanistan. After going through the selection and interview process, I was successfully selected and started my new career for the primary energy provider for NATO in Afghanistan. I spent 18 months in Afghanistan on a 10:3 week rotation. During this period, WFS invested in my development both financially via courses and in time through an internal mentoring programme.
My transition from the military to civilian work was significantly helped by the fact that most of my colleagues were veterans from various countries (UK, US etc.) and services. While in Afghanistan I learnt more about working in highly diverse teams and managing supply chains, which spanned numerous countries (Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan etc.), and gained a clearer sense of what I wanted from my new career; including career advancement and greater commercial exposure to industry.
Progression.
After 18-months I decided that I wanted to return to the UK to progress in the company. This was supported by the management in Afghanistan and back in London (WFS Europe, Middle East & Africa) Aalborg in Denmark (NCS HQ). Whilst in Afghanistan, the senior management helped me to craft my CV so that it could improve my chances of securing a job in the UK, even if it was for a different company.
Again, after applying, I was successfully selected for the WFS role of Programme Manager for Defence Solutions (DS), a crucial link between defence customers like the UK MoD, US Defence Logistics Agency, NATO and the whole of the WFS organisation. Due to the pandemic I’ve been working remotely since March 2020. Working directly for the Senior VP, my primary role involves providing effective coordination and delivery of numerous global programmes, ensuring alignment with the DS strategic Vision and Mission. Not to forget the management of the inter-dependencies and oversight of any risks and issues arising. This involves working closely with teams of various sizes and levels, while making sure the senior management are kept fully aware of any developments.
During my time within the department, WFS has continued to invest in my professional development. I have been fortunate enough to be placed on numerous industry recognised courses, and work with senior managers who are willing to mentor and share their own experience. I’m also now involved in the UK project team supporting veterans to join the company; an aspect of our business really well supported by the CEO, Michael Kasbar, as highlighted in his quote above.
In Retrospect – A Few Tips.
Whilst luck and timing has played its part in my very fortunate start to civilian life, I place the majority of that success down to researching a company who I believe is willing to invest in its employees. During my 2+ years already with WFS, I’ve been valued, listened to and invested in as an individual and an employee. All employees, irrelevant of grade, are encouraged to use their initiative and contribute to the success of the organisation.
I can also see that there are particular skills and competences from military service that have enabled my successful transition, including determination, attention to detail and pride. My advice to any Service leaver is to think about the type of company and industry sector you want to work in and to not let your rank influence the level of job you apply for. It’s quite right to be ambitious about your next steps. I was told several times by Senior Ranks within my resettlement programme that I could not apply for a certain job due to the position and my rank. And so I would advise anyone to ignore this and apply for the position you want. Back yourself!