From Royal Engineers to Design Engineering

David Roberts served for 8 years as an E&M Draughtsman in the Royal Engineers before leaving in February 2015. He says his motivation for leaving the Army was, “Wanting to continue my engineering career in design, and I had also accomplished 2 tours of Afghanistan so thought it was my time to leave.”

During his Service, David gained a HNC in Building services engineering which he says “has helped massively to get my new job in Atkins.”

David explains, “my job entails design engineering, so basically calculations, drawing etc. The HNC qualification I completed during service without a doubt got me this job and has served me faultlessly, and also the basic military skills have served me very well; for example punctuality and discipline are very important and have impressed the civilians I now work with.”

When asked what advice he would give to other Service leavers, David says: “Use your enhanced learning credits to complete relevant training courses and really think about what you want to do when you get out. Expect to work hard but it definitely comes with its rewards - never give up, and have the confidence to go out in to civilian street and say to yourself you can do anything as long as you work hard for it and stay determined.”