For many of us leaving the armed forces, one of the biggest challenges isn’t just finding a new job. It’s finding a new sense of purpose.
After 15 years in the Royal Military Police, that’s exactly what I was searching for. I’d joined the military at 17 and spent most of my adult life overseas, with more than a decade away from home.
It was all I’d ever known but once I had a family, everything changed. I needed a new direction; something that would challenge me, use the skills I’d developed, and give me the stability to be present for my children.
That’s when I started looking into the world of skilled trades.
I’d never worked in a manual trade before, but I was used to thinking on my feet, working under pressure, and solving problems. All of those things translate surprisingly well into the sector. After some research, it became clear this was the path I wanted to follow.
Through the military’s Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCAS) scheme, I was able to access training at Brookhouse while I was still serving, with the scheme also covering part of the tuition fees.
The course was full on; I stayed in a hotel in Bradford during the training, with no distractions and full focus. I revised every evening, performed well in mock tests, and left each session more confident than the last.
Brookhouse gave me a solid foundation, but I knew I’d need support to take the next step. That’s when Tim at Brookhouse connected me with Women and Manual Trades (WaMT), which was exactly the kind of network I didn’t know I needed.
WaMT operates as part of Procure Plus, a not-for-profit company, after initially existing as an independent charity, to support women currently working in or looking to enter the construction trades.
They currently run a Gas Engineer pathway in partnership with Brookhouse, where ex-military women can complete training and placements, and become qualified Gas Engineers in just six months.
When I got the call from Meg at WaMT, who is also ex-military, I knew I’d found someone who understood exactly what I was going through. She stayed in touch, helped guide me through the final stretch of my training, and supported me as I looked for my first role in the sector.
I told her that Dodd Group was my ideal employer, and she made it happen. Just days after passing my ACS assessments, I had my first job interview. The very next day, I had my first civilian job offer.
I’ve just started at Dodd Group as a Domestic Gas Engineer, and it’s the beginning of a brand new chapter for me. I’m excited to get stuck in, learn the systems, and build on what I’ve already achieved. With so many opportunities for progression, I’d love to gain commercial qualifications and broaden my skills into areas like cookers and full heating systems.
To any women in the forces or veterans thinking about a similar leap, I’d say this: do it. It’s not easy stepping out of the only career you’ve ever known, especially into a sector where women are still underrepresented. But I’ve learned it’s never too late to start something new.
With the right training and support, you can take the skills you already have and thrive in a trade that truly values you. It might feel daunting at first, but it can open the door to a career that’s rewarding, respected, and truly your own.
