Transitioning from a military career to civilian life is no small feat. For veterans, it’s not only about finding a new job but adapting to a new way of life. Here at Churchill Group, we are committed to supporting veterans’ transition journeys, as we firmly believe that the skills gained in service are transferable and that facilities management offers a wide range of career opportunities for veterans to build rewarding careers and thrive in our industry.
We recently welcomed Ben Coleman for a week-long work experience with us. After fulfilling 24 years in the Army, reaching the rank of Warrant Officer, Ben is currently going through resettlement and reached out to us as he was keen to explore his career options in our sector. We were delighted with the opportunity to showcase what our sector has to offer for veterans and worked closely with Ben to tailor his work experience before him starting so that it was useful and worthwhile. To ensure an all-round experience, we teamed up with our clients, CBRE and United Utilities, to provide insight into the hard services side of facilities management, and a glimpse into our operations in the utilities sector.
Ben described his week with us as eye opening, interesting, and knowledgeable, and we sat down for a chat to explore his experience further.
What made you consider facilities management as an option after your career in the Army?
Initially, facilities management wasn`t my first choice of industry to consider. I wanted to pursue a career as an electrician and had earned qualifications in the field. However, a conversation with a good friend who transitioned into FM and successfully applied skills from our shared Army roles in his civilian role, encouraged me to explore the industry further and led me to connecting with Churchill about a potential work placement.
Talk us through your week with us.
Monday: I met some of the Churchill team to find out more about the group and how it is structured, its specialisms and different types of roles across the businesses. I also got introduced to the United Utilities contract and spent some time with the contract lead who was very knowledgeable and helped me understand the structure and expectations of the contract.
Tuesday: Spent the day with CBRE and their engineers, some of whom were also operating as electricians. I could relate my background to their work, and it gave me a sense of where my skills could potentially fit within the hard FM services. It was also great to be exposed to another company in the sector and broaden my perspective on the field.
Wednesday: Came into Manchester to meet one of Churchill’s senior account managers. We talked through their role and went out to visit sites to see some of the contracts that they manage. It allowed me to better understand the operations side of the service delivery and I was lucky to meet a number of fantastic people on the ground delivering the service. I really enjoy speaking to people and seeing them face to face so I can build relationships, so this was definitely the highlight of the week for me.
Thursday: I joined a Churchill cleaning manager at a United Utilities site. They guided me through the auditing process, explaining what to look out for and what they would pick up, as well as what the client expectations were around audits. Being able to observe their interactions with the on-site client was also beneficial to me which is key to maintaining a strong relationship.
Friday: I returned to Manchester to meet more of the Churchill team and reflect on my week. We explored how my military background translates into FM and discussed the art of balancing work with family life which will be a significant adjustment for me after my Army career where I am away from home during the week.
Overall, I found the week really insightful and enjoyed its fluid structure which fits well into being in FM where adaptability is key. I really appreciated everyone’s time and the opportunity to ask questions. The week for me reinforced the importance of building relationships and embracing change, both in FM and in my transition to civilian life.
Did this work experience help you understand how your skills from the Army can transfer to the facilities management sector?
This week confirmed for me that my military career has equipped me with many transferrable skills, and I think I`m making the right decision considering getting into FM.
My communication skills translated well throughout the week which are crucial in FM where collaboration and building relationships is key. I consider myself a people person, and my ability to build rapport and find common ground with everyone I met was highlighted to me throughout the week. In the Army, I`ve learnt to adapt my communication style to suit different audiences, whether it’s a commanding officer or a private soldier, and this is very similar in FM, as you need to be able to engage effectively with individuals at all levels.
I also recognised the value of my leadership qualities to the FM sector with my experience of identifying potential in individuals in the Army and my ability to empower others to succeed.
The management skills I developed in the Army are also very important in FM when managing people, equipment and the facilities.
Another transferrable skill of mine is adaptability. The dynamic nature of FM is something I can relate to from my time in the Army. In both environments, no two days are the same and you must respond quickly to shifting priorities.
What were the key benefits of this work experience to you?
Number one and the biggest one would be networking and the opportunity to connect with so many different people within the industry.
The other one would be realism. In the Army, my daily work routine is contained within one environment. This work experience made me appreciate the practical challenges of civilian work, such as factoring travel time into meeting schedules and balancing work with personal commitments. It helped me step out of the ‘Army bubble’ and prepare for the logistical aspects of civilian life.
Lastly, realising that there’s a lot more to FM than what I thought. I knew the difference between hard and soft facilities, but I didn`t really understand how it is all structured. I thought everyone was a facilities manager, but quickly learned that there are many roles – cleaners, account managers, engineers, operations officers and many more – each with distinct responsibilities. Having that understanding of how Churchill and the wider industry are structured has helped me visualise where I might fit and how my skills align with specific roles.
How important do you feel is to gain work experience while going through resettlement? Do you feel other individuals would benefit from a similar experience?
I think it depends on the individual and what they are looking to take away from it. For me, it was about stepping out of my comfort zone, testing myself in a civilian environment and seeing how I would adapt to a new setting. This placement gave me the chance to gauge how I would present myself outside of the Army which will be crucial for when I seek employment.
I would absolutely recommend this kind of work experience to not just military personnel, but to anyone transitioning from school, college, or another career. It gives you the opportunity to connect with people, build relationships and gain insights into sector you want to break into, which can only be a positive thing. For me, the difference in my understanding of FM from Monday morning to now is huge, and the experience has been invaluable. It’s been an amazing week.
We’re really pleased that Ben has found his week with us beneficial and hope that it has given him the confidence to explore facilities management as a career path after his service. We’re thrilled to have been part of his journey and look forward to seeing him thrive in our industry.