The Skills Shortage in Construction: Could Armed Forces Veterans Be Part of the Solution?

The UK construction industry has faced ongoing challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining skilled workers. From experienced Site Managers and Engineers to tradespeople, plant operators and logistics professionals, finding the right people remains an important consideration for contractors across the country.

At the same time, thousands of people leave the UK Armed Forces each year, bringing with them valuable experience, practical skills and an approach to work that can translate extremely well into construction.

While military and civilian construction careers may appear very different, there is often more crossover than employers initially realise.

Could the Armed Forces community represent an underutilised talent pool for an industry looking to strengthen its workforce?

Construction Needs More Than Just Construction Experience

When recruiting, it's understandable that employers often prioritise candidates who have previously worked in similar roles or sectors.

A Site Manager vacancy might require several years of experience with a main contractor. An Operations Manager position might ask for a background in construction delivery, while logistics roles often specify experience within the building industry.

These requirements can be important, particularly where technical knowledge, qualifications or specific safety competencies are essential.

However, focusing exclusively on previous construction experience can mean overlooking candidates with highly transferable skills.

Former Armed Forces personnel may have spent years managing teams, coordinating complex operations, overseeing equipment, maintaining safety standards and delivering work under significant pressure.

Those responsibilities can be remarkably similar to the challenges faced by construction businesses every day.

Leadership Experience That Transfers to Site

Effective leadership is essential across construction, particularly when managing multiple trades, subcontractors and demanding project programmes.

For many Armed Forces personnel, leadership and accountability are fundamental parts of their working lives.

Depending on their military role, individuals may have experience of supervising teams, allocating responsibilities, managing performance and making decisions in challenging environments.

These skills can provide a valuable foundation for careers in construction management.

For example, someone who has coordinated personnel, equipment and operational activities within the military may already possess many of the organisational and leadership qualities required in a site supervisory role.

They may still need construction-specific training, qualifications and experience, but they are not necessarily starting from scratch.

The challenge for employers is recognising potential rather than focusing solely on previous job titles.

Health & Safety Is Already Part of the Mindset

Construction is an industry where safety must remain a priority, and employers need people who understand the importance of following procedures, identifying hazards and managing risk.

Many military roles require individuals to operate in environments where risk assessments, equipment checks, clear communication and adherence to procedures are essential.

This can provide a strong foundation for working within construction's health and safety culture.

Former service personnel may also have experience delivering safety briefings, supervising activities, inspecting equipment or ensuring teams follow operational procedures.

While this doesn't replace the need for relevant construction qualifications or site-specific training, it can give candidates a useful starting point.

For employers, the ability to recruit someone who already understands the importance of accountability and safe working practices can be a real advantage.

Engineering and Technical Skills

Not every Armed Forces career involves frontline operations.

The military employs people across a wide range of technical disciplines, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, vehicle maintenance, infrastructure, communications and equipment servicing.

Many of these skills have direct applications within construction and its associated industries.

Former military engineers and technicians may be well suited to exploring opportunities in:

• Mechanical and electrical engineering

• Plant and equipment maintenance

• Facilities management

• Infrastructure and utilities

• Construction engineering support

• Technical supervision

• Service and maintenance operations

Some candidates may already hold recognised qualifications, while others could benefit from additional training or civilian accreditation.

For construction employers experiencing difficulties recruiting technically skilled staff, this is a talent pool worth considering.

Logistics, Planning and Project Coordination

One area where military experience can be particularly relevant is logistics.

Construction projects depend on materials, equipment and people arriving at the right location at the right time.

Poor coordination can cause delays, disrupt programmes and increase costs.

Military logistics professionals often have experience managing equipment, transport, resources, stock, schedules and complex supply chains.

These capabilities can translate into construction roles such as Logistics Manager, Plant Coordinator, Transport Manager, Procurement Coordinator and Operations Manager.

Similarly, personnel with experience planning and coordinating military operations may have transferable skills relevant to project planning and delivery.

The environments are different, but many of the underlying challenges are familiar.

Could Veterans Help Address Construction's Management Skills Gap?

Much of the conversation surrounding construction skills shortages focuses on skilled trades, and rightly so.

However, the industry also needs capable supervisors, managers and operational leaders.

As experienced construction professionals retire or progress into senior positions, developing the next generation of managers becomes increasingly important.

This is an area where former Armed Forces personnel could make a valuable contribution.

Individuals who have managed teams, resources and operational responsibilities may have the foundations needed to develop into construction leadership positions.

For some, the transition could involve entering the industry through an Assistant Site Manager, Site Supervisor or Project Coordinator role before progressing further.

Others with relevant engineering, infrastructure or construction experience gained during military service may be able to transition more directly.

The key is assessing each person's existing experience and identifying where additional industry-specific development is required.

Why Aren't More Employers Considering Veterans?

One of the challenges is that military experience doesn't always translate neatly onto a civilian CV.

Job titles, qualifications and responsibilities can be described very differently in the Armed Forces compared with the construction industry.

A hiring manager might not immediately recognise the relevance of a military appointment, even where the candidate has managed significant teams, budgets, equipment or operational responsibilities.

Equally, service leavers may not always realise how valuable their experience could be to construction employers.

This creates an opportunity for recruiters to help bridge the gap.

By understanding a candidate's military background and identifying their transferable skills, recruitment professionals can help employers look beyond unfamiliar terminology and recognise relevant experience.

That doesn't mean lowering recruitment standards. It means ensuring capable candidates aren't overlooked simply because their experience was gained in a different environment.

What Can Construction Employers Do Differently?

Employers don't necessarily need to completely change their recruitment processes to become more accessible to former Armed Forces personnel.

Small adjustments can make a meaningful difference.

For example, reviewing job descriptions to distinguish between essential construction qualifications and skills that could be developed through training may encourage applications from candidates with transferable experience.

Hiring managers can also consider military leadership, engineering and logistics backgrounds when reviewing applicants for relevant vacancies.

Where appropriate, structured induction programmes, mentoring and additional qualifications can help successful candidates adapt to civilian construction environments.

This approach can widen the available talent pool while maintaining the standards employers expect.

Supporting the Armed Forces Community at Approach Personnel

At Approach Personnel, we recognise the valuable contribution that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families make to our communities and workplaces.

That's why we're proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, demonstrating our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community and recognising the challenges some individuals can face when transitioning into civilian employment.

As a recruitment business working across construction, engineering, manufacturing and associated sectors, we understand how important it is to identify the right skills and experience for every opportunity.

We also recognise that valuable experience doesn't always come from a traditional career path.

For veterans considering their next career move, construction offers a wide range of potential opportunities, from technical and operational positions through to management and leadership roles.

For employers, taking a broader approach to recruitment could help uncover capable, motivated individuals who might otherwise be overlooked.

Could Veterans Be Part of the Solution?

There is no single answer to the skills challenges facing UK construction.

The industry will continue to need apprenticeships, training, investment in qualifications and opportunities for existing workers to develop.

But attracting people from outside traditional construction career paths should also form part of the conversation.

Former Armed Forces personnel bring a wide variety of skills, experience and professional backgrounds. Not every veteran will be suited to every construction vacancy, but many have qualities that employers are actively looking for.

Leadership, teamwork, technical knowledge, planning, adaptability and accountability are all valuable in construction, regardless of where those skills were developed.

By recognising transferable experience and supporting people through the transition into civilian employment, construction employers could access a wider pool of talent while providing meaningful career opportunities for those who have served.

At Approach Personnel, we're committed to supporting both construction employers looking for talented people and Armed Forces personnel exploring their next career opportunity.

If you're an employer interested in recruiting from the Armed Forces community, or a service leaver considering a career in construction, we'd welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can help.