Keith Evans – Senior Operator - PTBP
Keith's story
My naval career began in Plymouth and was the result of conversations with my work colleagues and family about what a great life the navy offered combined with a desire to travel.
I started off spending six weeks of basic training (including learning how to march) at the Royal Navy’s largest training establishment in the South West, HMS Raleigh. I then spent three months trade training focussing on marine engineering at HMS Sultan in Portsmouth to prepare me for my initial role on board a ship. I served time on a variety of ships travelling around the world (HMS Ajax, HMS Ariadne and HMS Boxer to name a few) developing knowledge and skills in boilers and engine rooms and general marine engineering tasks and activities as a Marine Engineer Mechanic.
Throughout my time in the navy, I always wanted to progress up through the ranks which involved sitting many exams, fleet boards and courses. My first promotion was to Leading Hand where I went onto work in different disciplines on-shore and ship-side including fleet maintenance and facilities management. On completion of the course I was put forward for an apprenticeship as an Artificer. The course took roughly thirty months to complete with all the usual tests and exams along with naval training and leadership skills. I also decided to make things harder by starting a family and having young children in the house whilst trying to study for my apprenticeship.
After completing my shore side training I was sent to sea to finalise my trade training and to progress up through the ranks, finally leaving as Chief Petty Officer Artificer. Part of my role and responsibilities at sea was to oversee a team of personnel in order to maintain and look after the ship’s propulsion section of four gas turbines, its associated gearboxes and propeller shafting.
Leaving the navy after twenty-two years was a massive change. I applied for many different jobs in the run up to me leaving the service with a desire to maintain an income to support my young family. At this point I was not sure what job I would be offered and initially got very few replies. This was probably due to it being a Christmas period and the start of a New Year. When I had all but given up, I landed a maintenance role at a local hospital initially on a temporary basis; it then became permanent after about three months when I was accepted into a technician’s role and later a charge hand. I ended up staying for eight years during which time I was also offered the opportunity to complete a modern electrical apprenticeship and, later on, an NVQ 4 in management.
My next and current role is in power generation, working at the Biomass Plant at Port Talbot. Initially I started as an Operator and when an opportunity became available moved up to be a Senior Operator. When on shift I work with another Operator supporting the Plant Manager in delivering safe, efficient and environmentally compliant operations.
I joined when the plant was being commissioned so it was a great opportunity to learn from the very beginning. We’re also a really good team here.
The variety in this industry really appealed to me and I was also familiar with a lot of the machinery having worked with it on board ships.
To people about to leave the forces I would suggest you take as many courses as you can about subjects you’re interested in that might be useful in job roles you’re hoping to get into. Be as prepared as you can be, so that your naval experience is as recognised as possible.
