“Being a veteran opens doors, every role I have been selected for has been down to my military service” 

News

Last year we launched the Veterans in FM Network, a dedicated career route for veterans to network and support each other in their workplace and facilities management (WFM) careers. Click here to discover how veterans can find pathways to success in WFM. Veterans possess an array of skills, experiences and ambitions, so we’re keen to highlight individuals from this rich talent pool to better understand their different WFM paths.  

One such individual is Mark Moseley, founder of PestGone Environmental Ltd and author, who served in the British Army’s Royal Engineers between 1999 and 2008. Mark spoke to us about adapting to civilian life, the importance of transferrable skills and workplace and facilities management as a career of choice.  

What motivated you to transition from the Military to a career in WFM and what were your initial experiences? 

Upon leaving the forces, the natural transition was to become an electrician, where I did so on an RAF base in Norfolk for a national WFM company. I went through the CTP courses of writing a CV and I did my NEBOSH Health and Safety courses as my peers were doing these courses. 

The biggest challenge for me was missing the military community. It felt as though upon leaving those camp gates for the last time that I was solely on my own. The army safety net was gone, which at the time was a daunting prospect.  

It took many months for me to adjust into civilian life but thankfully I had a good group of friends who I played football with each Saturday to a semi-professional level, so this gave me that sense of community and team camaraderie. 

What transferable skills and experiences from your Military service do you believe have been the most valuable to your WFM career? 

I think the most valuable, which is probably overlooked, is being able to communicate with others. The Army instilled in me an outgoing personality, as well as being able to talk to senior people in a confident and truthful manner. 

Like in most new roles, as well as with legislation in most sectors continually evolving, there were additional courses and qualifications that I was required to gain. The military mindset has hugely helped me in WFM with being on time, with the right kit, in the right place to carry out the job in hand. 

Being a veteran opened several doors, and every role I have been selected for since leaving the forces has been down to my military service. There is, in my opinion, no other industry that is more suited to all roles in the forces than WFM. Plus, the people in this sector are very similar; outgoing, don’t mind getting their hands dirty, and will get the job done calmy over a cup of tea.  

Could you sum up why service leavers should consider a future in WFM? 

I truly believe that WFM is a great career choice, with it being more suited to most of our armed forces personnel than any other industry. WFM is not going away, and with the huge expanses of infrastructure continuing around the world, WFM is buoyant and if you choose it, who knows where it will take you. 

To find out more about Veterans In FM’s work, click here or visit us on LinkedIn.