Transitioning Military Skills into Civilian Careers
Military service instils a range of transferable skills, including leadership, discipline, problem-solving, and technical proficiency. At ATA Recruitment, we recognise the immense value that forces leavers bring to the engineering and manufacturing industries. Our mission is to facilitate their seamless transition into civilian roles where they can continue to excel.
For forces leavers, we offer personalised support, helping them identify opportunities that match their experience and career goals. Our consultants understand the nuances of military experience and work closely with candidates to translate their skills into roles within sectors such as General Engineering, Automotive, Aerospace, Food & FMCG, Warehouse Automation and Special Purpose Machinery. By providing guidance on CV preparation, interview techniques, and industry insights, we not only introduce individuals to market-leading employers, we empower them to embark on fulfilling new careers with all the support they need for a successful transition.
At the same time, we support our clients in tapping into this highly skilled and dependable talent pool, helping them strengthen their teams with individuals who thrive under pressure, adapt quickly, and bring a unique level of commitment and capability to technical environments.
"ATA Recruitment helped me throughout my process of leaving the armed forces (RN) in the most professional way. Carefully choosing opportunities that are suited to my personal preferences, knowledge and experience providing me with the right options for me. Their personal approach and efforts to create a good quality relationship throughout my process is something that I really want to highlight, contacting me every month to check in and contacting me every 1-2 weeks when it came closer to me leaving the military. ATA provided me with the best professional and personal advice during what is a stressful time for any service leaver. This included what to expect in civvy street, how to approach interviews and most importantly helped me with my confidence in conversing my skills and best qualities. I cannot thank ATA enough for their help and I would recommend them 100%."
Latest Jobs In Recruiting Forces Leavers
Latest Case Studies
Helping Ex-Forces Transition into Engineering Careers
Helping Ex-Forces Transition into Engineering CareersAs increasing numbers of individuals leave the Armed Forces, many are seeking meaningful civilian careers that align with their skills, discipline and work ethic. At ATA Recruitment, Lewis Gardner has become a trusted specialist in ex-Forces recruitment, helping service leavers transition into engineering and technical roles across the UK.Why Are More People Leaving the Armed Forces?There has been a significant rise in the number of people leaving the Armed Forces in recent years. Many cite the need for a better work-life balance, the desire to live closer to home, and a benefits package that no longer reflects today’s financial demands. Some service leavers are commuting up to 6.5 hours, while others face long hours and unpaid overtime due to staffing shortages. These challenges are driving a growing number to explore civilian jobs after the military.Supporting Career Transitions for Ex-Forces CandidatesLewis Gardner has placed numerous ex-military candidates into long-term roles, with around 90% of placements in automation and manufacturing environments. His passion for supporting veterans started with a single conversation:“After speaking with my first Forces leaver, I found the whole process genuinely rewarding. These candidates often feel uncertain about what ‘Civvy Street’ holds for them. But once you start consulting and guiding them through their career transition, it becomes clear just how much value they can bring to engineering and technical teams.”What Makes Ex-Forces Candidates Ideal for Engineering and Manufacturing?Ex-Forces personnel possess a unique combination of technical skills, reliability, and resilience. But Lewis is keen to avoid generalisations.“Not every Forces leaver is the same. What they often share, though, is a realistic mindset, a willingness to learn, and incredible discipline. Many are more than happy to travel if the role is right. They’re also excellent listeners — a trait highly valued in any engineering team.”Success Stories: Building Stronger Teams with Veteran TalentOne notable success has been the placement of four Forces leavers at Frasers Group, where the Shift Manager is also ex-Forces.“There was an instant connection,” Lewis explains. “Shared values and experience made it easy for the new hires to integrate, and the employer quickly saw the benefits.”Overcoming Barriers to Civilian EmploymentJob interviews in the civilian world can be a daunting change for military professionals. Lewis ensures every candidate is fully prepared with coaching, mock interviews, and personalised support.“We focus on building confidence and helping them present their skills in a way that resonates with hiring managers. It’s about showing them how to translate their experience into commercial value.”Why Supporting Forces Leavers MattersThis work is more than just recruitment. For Lewis, it’s personal.“There are more Forces leavers than ever before, and they need someone who truly understands their journey. I see my role as a consultant, not just a recruiter. It's about being someone they can trust — someone who’s there to open doors and reduce the stress of a big life change.”Thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations, more and more ex-military candidates are finding their way to ATA Recruitment, confident that their careers are in expert hands.Looking to Build or Begin a Career in Engineering?Whether you're an ex-Forces professional seeking your next opportunity or an employer looking to strengthen your technical team, ATA Recruitment is here to help. We're Bridging The Skills Gap in UK engineering by connecting skilled, disciplined service leavers with employers in manufacturing, automation, and beyond.If you’re leaving the military and want support transitioning into a civilian engineering role or if you're hiring and want to explore the value ex-Forces talent can bring, get in touch with Lewis Gardner at lewis.gardner@ata-recruitment.co.uk, call 07583 676 804, or fill in the form below.
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Why Hiring Forces Leavers Could Be the Smartest Recruitment Move You Make
Unlocking Potential: The Value of Hiring Forces LeaversIn an increasingly competitive recruitment landscape, employers are under pressure to find candidates who are not only technically proficient but also dependable, adaptable, and committed. One of the most consistently overlooked talent pools in the UK is that of forces leavers - former military personnel transitioning into civilian careers.At ATA Recruitment, we specialise in helping organisations tap into this valuable resource. Forces leavers bring a wealth of transferable skills and a proven track record of performing under pressure - qualities that align perfectly with the needs of engineering, technical, and manufacturing industries.We also work in parallel with trusted veteran support organisations such as the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), the official MOD provider of career support for service leavers.What Makes Forces Leavers Exceptional Candidates?Transferable Technical SkillsMany roles in the Armed Forces involve hands-on experience with mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems - experience that translates seamlessly into commercial environments. Roles such as Maintenance Engineers, Technicians, and Field Service Engineers are a natural fit.Leadership and TeamworkMilitary training instils a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and collaboration. Forces leavers have experience managing teams, following structured processes, and executing projects in high-pressure environments.Reliability and Work EthicEx-forces professionals are known for their punctuality, attention to detail, and long-term commitment - traits that are invaluable in industries where reliability is critical. For those in the process of leaving the military, additional guidance and support can be found through resources like the Veterans’ Gateway, a comprehensive hub for employment and wellbeing services.Sectors Where Ex-Forces Professionals ThriveAt ATA Recruitment, we’ve placed forces leavers into a wide range of sectors, including:Engineering and ManufacturingRail and InfrastructureDefence and AerospaceAutomotiveEnergy and UtilitiesRoles often include:Mechanical and Electrical Maintenance EngineersMulti-skilled TechniciansProject ManagersHealth & Safety ProfessionalsField Service EngineersTeam Leaders and SupervisorsWhy Partner with ATA Recruitment?Our dedicated Forces Leaver Recruitment Team understands both the operational needs of our clients and the career transition journey of ex-forces professionals. We provide:A tailored shortlisting process focused on cultural and technical fitAccess to a national network of military-trained candidatesIn-depth role briefing and support for both clients and candidatesLong-term recruitment partnerships based on trust and resultsWhether you're scaling operations, replacing retiring staff, or simply looking for reliable professionals with proven capability, forces leavers represent a valuable recruitment solution.Let’s Talk About Your Hiring NeedsIf you're interested in hiring highly skilled, motivated, and disciplined individuals, we’re ready to help. Our team can provide insight, candidate profiles, and advice tailored to your specific industry.Contact ATA Recruitment to find out how we can support your business: Visit our Forces Leavers recruitment page
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Career Paths for Ex-Forces Personnel
As part of our mission to Bridge The Skills Gap, we partner with highly skilled forces leavers, connecting them with exceptional employers in the engineering and manufacturing sectors where their unique abilities and attitudes can truly flourish. Our Recruitment Specialist, Lewis Gardner, successfully placed Josh Boak—an ex-Aircraft Technician and Maintenance Supervisor who joined HM Forces in 2018—into a position at the Frasers Group (Sports Direct). Find out below about his transition from working in the forces to working at his current new role. How did you feel about your job search leaving the forces?Starting my job search in civvy street was daunting. I was nervous and didn’t know where to start. The initial screening call with Lewis helped me understand what the market had to offer and how I could move forward. He was the first to approach me with a role and kept me informed throughout the process. Even after placement, Lewis remained proactive, making the transition smooth and seamless.What sort of role and company were you looking for?When transitioning to civvy street, I had no clear idea of what job to pursue. I browsed general engineering roles, coming across everything from HVAC to water sewage. My primary goal was to secure a position that allowed me to live in my own house in Nottingham. This changed after an internal interview call with Lewis, who presented a position at Frasers Group (Sports Direct) in detail. He ensured it aligned with my goals and interests, and now I’ve gathered my certificates and have a job offer on the table.What attracted you to the Frasers Group?The company I have an offer with is well-established but also undergoing a development journey, which will allow me to grow alongside the business. They have a clear promotion system in place, giving me something to work towards. During my site tour, I met engineers and team leaders from various forces backgrounds, which will help me hit the ground running and adapt to the environment efficiently.What are the benefits of recruiting a forces leaver?I bring various attributes to civvy street, having undergone training that pushed me to the next level by working under pressure in diverse team scenarios. This type of training isn’t something typically found in civvy street. At just 20 years old, I was entrusted with the responsibility of signing off £500,000 aircraft for flight.This is just one of the many forces leavers who have engaged with ATA Recruitment to support their transition into engineering and manufacturing. If you are an ex-forces leaver looking to move into the sector, then get in touch with Lewis using the details below.Email: lewis.gardner@ata-recruitment.co.uk Telephone: 07583 676 804LinkedIn: Connect on LinkedIn
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