24 Aug EAST ANGLIAN EX-ARMED FORCES SIBLINGS BUILD NEW FOUNDATIONS WITH CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION
Two brothers who were both in the Forces are building new careers in construction with a programme specifically developed for training ex-military personnel.
Luke (26) and Chrissie (33) Matthews have both taken on construction-based roles with Barratt and David Wilson Homes within the Cambridgeshire division, and are transferring the skills they developed in the Forces to succeed in the industry.
Luke is a Trainee Assistant Site Manager currently completing the Armed Forces Transition Programme at Barratt Homes’ brand new Swaffham development, Ceres Rise.
The Fakenham-based ex-Lance Corporal served in the Army, Blues and Royals for more than eight years and was attracted to his new role due to his brother, Chrissie, having recently completed the Transition Programme himself.
He said: “The programme I’m doing is great because it’s helping someone like me, just an average guy, develop my knowledge and pursue a new career path.
“Managing time and people and working as a team have been great skills I’ve been able to transfer into my new role and Chrissie has been proof that people from the Forces can go onto succeed in construction.
Luke’s current role involves him finishing and inspecting properties before they’re handed over to their new residents.
Chrissie, who has now finished the programme, is working as an Assistant Site Manager at David Wilson Homes’ Northstowe development near Cambridge.
He was attracted to the industry due to the fact it offered him a structured career with lots of opportunities for progression after serving in the Royal Engineers as a Sergeant.
Chrissie is responsible for ensuring that all the trades onsite are in the correct plots and that they have the correct amount of time to complete that stage of the build. His day-to-day routine involves running the internals of the build, taking over from when the roof goes on.
He said: “My favourite part of the job is the planning and programming of the build. I enjoy being in constant communication with everyone out on site and seeing the build develop at a quick pace. The job requires problem solving at a fast pace, and no two days are ever the same.
“The team work is very similar to the military which has made the transition a lot easier for myself.
“I would highly recommend the Armed Forces Transition Programme to anyone that is thinking about doing it. There is so many comparisons to the skills that are required of you in the military.”
The Armed Forces Transition Programme provides all the training and support required to work towards becoming a qualified Assistant Site Manager in approximately 12 months. It uses skills formerly gathered in the Armed Forces which can apply to construction, making it a comfortable transition for ex-servicemen and women.
Andy Richards, Construction Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire, said: “The Armed Forces Transition Programme is extremely important in giving career opportunities to former Armed Forces personnel.
“As Luke and Chrissie are proving, the skills they hold provide a great foundation to help them become exceptional Site Managers due to the fast-paced roles and responsibilities involved.
“It’s great to hear that the Matthews brothers are settling into their roles well and are able to apply the excellent skills they learnt during their service to the day-to-day tasks of being out onsite. We wish them the best of luck in their careers.”
To learn more about the Armed Forces Transition Programme, visit: www.barrattcareers.co.uk/armed-forces/armed-forces-transition-programme.
