Why ex-forces personnel have so much to offer the world of engineering

In the last decade, considerable progress has been made to make engineering a more diverse, inclusive industry. The number of women in the engineering profession has nearly doubled, and organisational frameworks such as STEM have helped attract a broader range of young engineers.

It’s not only the workforce that’s becoming more diverse; engineering is evolving into an increasingly complex, multidisciplinary profession. From producing life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, to developing more energy-efficient buildings and vehicles, career-paths can diverge drastically. One common thread remains though; organisations urgently require resilient professionals who can overcome barriers, work collaboratively, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

Cue, ex-serving personnel. With almost 15,000 people coming out of the armed forces every year, these individuals are a valuable opportunity for the world of engineering.

Transferable skills in engineering (and outside of it)

While ex-forces are not the only demographic that deserve greater attention, their reputation as the ‘best trained workforce’ is not without merit. With a unique collection of technical skills – canvased by a distinctive problem-solving mentality – ex-serving personnel can play a valuable role in the future of engineering.

Outside of combat expertise, ex-forces bring experiences with a direct application in the civilian sector. This includes providing humanitarian support, such as water production, electrical supply, infrastructure rebuilding, and support for medical facilities. During the height of Covid-19, we witnessed first-hand the rapid response of the armed forces when constructing London’s Nightingale hospital, and other vaccine facilities.

However, ex-military personnel hold a wealth of varied experience that goes far beyond engineering-specific expertise. By tapping into the ex-forces demographic, you’re reaching into a much broader spectrum of skill-sets – from logistics to telecommunications – often tested in complex and stressful environments. This proven, holistic collection of knowledge and skills makes for an exceptionally well-rounded network of professionals, which organisations can draw upon to target a range of engineering vacancies.

A resilient, problem-solving mindset

A problem-solving mentality is vital for many roles in the armed forces, which has a clear application in the civilian world of engineering. As well as overcoming technical obstacles, problem-solvers can diffuse conflict in a team, investigate ways of managing resources more effectively, and ultimately get the job done.

Increasingly, employers are also searching for resilient professionals who are likely to stay at their organisation in the long-term. People with a military background are typically quick to adapt to new settings, and have the robustness required to overcome initial hurdles and push-through periods of challenge.

Ex-forces own impressive leadership and strategy skills

Engineering doesn’t just require skills to fill, but leaders who can execute complex long-term strategies with the involvement of multiple stakeholders. While not all ex-forces have specific training in leadership, the vast majority have been given positions of responsibility that set them apart as confident project managers and beyond.

The sense of ownership and accountability among ex-forces make them excellent leadership candidates across a range of industries, and engineering is no exception.

Digitally advanced for the future of engineering

There’s no doubt that soft skills are important in engineering, yet technical proficiency is increasingly important in a digitally driven engineering landscape.

Armed-forces personnel are often at the forefront of the latest technology, utilising cutting-edge equipment and techniques to meet their objectives. Many ex-forces bring a hands-on digital expertise, which can be carried over to a civilian career in engineering. As a profession becoming increasingly influenced by disruptive tech – such as artificial intelligence, robotic automation, and machine learning – tech-minded, yet practical professionals are a great asset.

Ensure you’re accessible to armed forces talent

More needs to be done to connect skilled, ex-service personnel with opportunities in engineering. Along with increased networking and more focused recruitment frameworks, assimilating ex-forces talent requires organisations who are approachable and understand their skills, and can offer the right training and guidance to unlock their potential. Increasing visibility is one aspect of this, as is offering coaching or transition programmes.

By being accessible to ex-forces – and more accommodating in recruitment strategies and business culture across the board – organisations can utilise this talent network to help combat skills shortages and realise an innovative future of engineering.