From LOM(AWT) to CDM Advisor

Tell us briefly about your career so far

I started my working life in 1987 in North British Steel Group in production control. I later completed my 3 year apprentice as a CNC turner before going back to collage to gain more qualifications to join the Royal Navy. I joined the RN in 1994 as a WEM and later became an OM(AW), then a LOM(AWT). I was diagnosed with reoccurring iritis in my left eye and was medically discharged in 2013.

The transition to civilian life was difficult and I conducted a none paid internship with a friend for 5 months to gain some experience. I landed my first role auditing for Safety Schemes in procurement, and then worked for the Range as a Project co-ordinator and H&S officer where I opened up 16 stores conducting all H&S. Following on from that I worked in Falmouth dockyard as a H&S officer on a three month contract, upon completion I worked self-employed on a four month contract conducting H&S and fire audits in pubs and hotels. I then worked self-employed as the H&S advisor/assistant site manager on a solar park build for a Greek company.

I started with DCH/LiveWest in June 2017 as a scheme risk assessor and visual fire inspector. When a member of the CDM team who was also ex-services left I applied for the job and am now the CDM advisor for Devon.

In your civilian role, what training, experience and/or qualification gained while serving have you found most useful?

Most useful has been the leadership skills, the ability to communicate at all levels, public speaking and the ability to problem solve.

When you left the service life, how did you choose your civilian career?

I thought well I have to do something was not sure what but I knew H&S would be something I would need to know what ever role I went into. Whilst conducting the course I found I enjoyed it and that it gave me the ability to still make a difference to the wellbeing of others.

What obstacles did you have to overcome and how did you overcome them?

The biggest obstacle in leaving the services is having something relevant on your CV to the position you are looking to move into. The internship I conducted was worth its weight in gold.

What is your job at LiveWest and what skills that you gained in the military do you use?

My current position is CDM advisor, time keeping and the ability to run my diary de-conflicting where necessary have been key skills as has the ability to quickly prioritise when required. The ability to pitch your self and your advice at the right level from senior managers to the guy at the bottom has been of benefit.

What advice would you give other service leavers?

Research the role you are looking to achieve, where possible network through friends. Get something relevant on your CV, even if its just voluntary and unpaid, and when applying for roles, tailor your CV specific to the role, especially the top section get the key words in here. When you go to interview, research the company.