Forces: Ex-Royal Air Force
Andrew M - Sergeant Aircraft Painter and Finisher
“A lot of Service leavers may be apprehensive about setting up their own business but they can use the skills they have picked up in the military, like motivation and determination”.
Background
Andrew joined the RAF in 1987 as a Painter and Finisher, becoming Sergeant, and responsible for managing the surface finish on aircraft and vehicles. Andrew also managed personnel and dealt with the welfare and personal development of teams under his leadership. He was also very involved with adventure training and became an experienced instructor.
Resettlement
After 22 years in the military, Andrew decided to take his skills and experience into the civilian workplace. Having attended the Career Transition Workshop (CTW) and discussed options with his CTP Career Consultant, he decided to become a Tree Surgeon.
He quickly realised that the best option was to become self-employed. “A lot of Service leavers may be apprehensive about setting their own business but they can use the skills they have picked up in the military, like motivation and determination.”
He sourced a course with Kingswood Training Services, a CTP Preferred Supplier. They not only taught him the key aspects of tree surgery, but combined them with a business start-up course specific to the industry. Andrew said this “Allowed me to gain the national qualifications needed to set up my own business.”
Outcome
Andrew started a company called North Wilts Tree Care. As he puts it: “I can build my own client base and the income is better self-employed.” Because a lot of his work is domestic, he gets recommendations which have led to more business, including work for his local council. This helps to build his company’s reputation.
He felt the resettlement process was invaluable. The advice he would give to other Service leavers is: “Decide what you want to do at the earliest opportunity, find what you need to get there and undertake any training or qualifications you will need.”
Andrew also advises Service leavers who are going down the self-employment route to: “Start trading as soon as you have set the business up, ideally whilst still serving, so you can buy equipment that you need and you have an income while the business is building.”
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