Rail Industry

Name: Phil Harley

Rank on Exit: WO1 (ASM)

Years of Service: 25 Years

Qualifications Gained: BTEC National Certificate

WO1 (ASM) Phil Harley served in the Army (REME) for 25 years, specialising as an Artificer Weapons and leaving last August. ‘Although I loved my time in the Army,’ he says, ‘I had served my last five years in the same post and felt it was time to move on.’

Now working as a Senior Stations Equipment Engineer for Transport for London (TfL), he says of the training/experience he gained during his Service career ‘I can honestly say I believe the vast majority of training I received in the Army has been useful in civilian life, be it professional qualifications, the ability to make decisions, bring order from chaos and plan for any eventuality, even to knowing that skin’s waterproof when I’m standing in the rain on some platform! The robustness of personality that the Army has given me has stood me in good stead; the ability that all soldiers develop to “roll with the punches” is invaluable whether you’re in a trench or on an escalator.’

Asked about civilian qualifications gained during his Service career, he says, ‘I gained many qualifications, the most significant of which were an HNC in Engineering, an ADLEE Lifting Equipment Inspection qualification and an NVQ 4 in Military Management. These were useful as they let potential employers know what level of work I was capable of providing – but, once employed, it’s really down to you as an individual to show what you can do.’

He found his first civilian job on leaving the Forces when he ‘heard at a jobs fair organised by HQ 4th Division in Aldershot that TfL was seeking engineers. When I investigated via the TfL website, that job had been removed, but I looked around and saw that there were other jobs within my capabilities and that engaged my interest. This was where my CTW really paid dividends, enabling me to match my skills to the listed requirements of job descriptions. I applied online for the post of Leading Stations Equipment Engineer in the Asset Performance Engineering division of London Underground and was called for interview. There was also a short technical test and, on the strength of my performance and a check of my qualifications, I was offered the position.

‘Following eight months in the post of Leading Engineer, I was promoted to the position of Senior Stations Equipment Engineer within the same team. The job involves providing solutions to engineering problems on station equipment. This includes conducting technical evaluations and managing engineering projects on escalators, lifts, oil sampling analysis, water pumping systems, CCTV, communications systems and setting technical training objectives. Much of this work takes the form of investigating a system failure, and then recommending and designing a safe and cost-effective solution. This often leads on to project managing the implementation of the solution. I am also involved in the development of engineering management practices, particularly Condition Monitoring and LEAN systems. In the role of Senior Engineer I have additional responsibilities of budget and workflow management, and professional development of team subordinates.

‘I find working in London very enjoyable – the buzz is unique, and I have the best of both worlds, by commuting in from the calm and tranquillity of Folkestone every day. This is made affordable for me by TfL’s generous remuneration package. Although the camaraderie of Forces life was something I always thought I’d miss, while the sense of community in my current job is not as strong, there is still a social element if you want to get involved. And having my family permanently settled is a great relief.’

Published November 2011

Name: Rebecca Bedford

Rank on Exit: Full Corporal

Years of Service: 7 Years

Qualifications Gained: BTEC National Certificate

Having served in the REME for seven years, specialising as an electronic technician and achieving the rank of Full Corporal, Rebecca Bedford, 24, left the Forces in 2008 seeking to ‘branch out into a different industry’, broaden her horizons, and settle down and spend more time with her family – especially her little girl. As well as cultivating her confidence and encouraging her to take part in sporting activities, her time in uniform furnished her with useful skills in leadership and communication, as well as a BTEC National Certificate, NVQ level 3 and Advanced Modern Apprenticeship.

Having joined the Forces straight from school, she found her CTW particularly useful, especially in terms of practical skills like CV writing. As part of her resettlement she took a 16th Edition Electrics course at Newcastle College, which she found ‘very well run and useful’. Within five weeks of leaving, she had found her first (and current) job via a recruitment agency and submitting her CV to an online job site.
She works as an electrician at Neville Hill train depot in Leeds, part of Northern Rail. Her work is ‘multi-skilled – mechanical and electrical – on a modifications team, currently overhauling 144 fleet, doing mods on trains throughout the depot, as well as commissioning and installing equipment.

‘I have learned a lot,’ she says, ‘and am still learning every day. With mods, every day is different – it’s not just routine – and I am learning about different train systems. It’s not as close-knit here as in the Forces, but there is still good team spirit. In the Army I could have been away from home for up to six months at a time, but now I can plan ahead and take time off, and I have a more stable environment for my family.’

Published November 2010

Name: Gareth Rothwell

Rank on Exit: Sergent

Years of Service: 18 Years

Qualifications Gained: NVQ level 3 Man Management

In October 2005, after more than 18 years’ Service, Sergeant Gareth Rothwell left the Army, having served with the REME and the RAMC. While serving in locations including Bosnia, Kosovo and the UK, he gained experience of ‘managing staff at various levels and developing courses’. While in uniform he gained qualifications including an NVQ level 3 in Man Management (NEBS) and Manual Handling Trainer.

The Career Transition Workshop he attended ‘helped me to develop my CV and convert my experience into civilian language’. He also took resettlement training courses in ‘Facilities Management (BIFM Part 1), IOSH Managing Safely, and used my ELC for the C&G 7302 Trainers Course, and First Aid Instructor and Assessor. The FM course was very intense and taught me basic business skills, as well as helping me realise that the skills I had gained in the Forces could be converted to a civilian role.’

Now working as health and safety trainer, facilities manager, IT manager, and health and safety manager for Aspire Rail based in Crewe, he found the job himself, using the internet. His main role is ‘to train all staff in health and safety, including first aid, manual handling, fire awareness, and IOSH Managing and Working Safely. I also train for external companies around the UK, and oversee all facilities management, health and safety, and IT issues at the depot.’

Thinking about how his job compares with Service life, he comments, ‘I manage my dayto- day activities the same as I did in the Forces; this helps me to prioritise my workload. My biggest plus is the years I spent training in the Forces: I have the confidence to train at any level, from track men to directors of large companies, and deliver a professional course.’ He concludes: ‘I found the Forces a way of life rather than a job: it is with you 24 hours a day. My new role is slightly different – I still do a lot of travelling, but the hotels are better! And I find I look forward to my work, like I used to in the Forces.’

Published November 09

Name: Richard Lungmuss

Rank on Exit: Colonel

Years of Service: 22 Years

Qualifications Gained: Prince 2 Practitioner Training

Royal Artillery Lieutenant Colonel Richard Lungmuss left the Army in 1999 after a 22-year career spent in the Great Britain, Germany, Northern Ireland and Oman; which included operations in Bosnia and service with 3 Commando Brigade. Leaving due to a ‘lack of career opportunities’, he values skills developed during his service which include ‘people management; standards of behaviour and performance; the ability to deliver to time, cost and quality; planning; and confidence.’

Resettlement included ‘well run and useful PRINCE 2 Practitioner training with SPOCE in Bournemouth as prequel to APM membership,’ before finding his first job through networking. Initially appointed as project mentor, he was quickly promoted to director, delivering an IT project for Lufthansa in Frankfurt.

Now aged 53, Lungmuss has been Territory Maintenance Director Scotland for Network Rail for two years, responsible ‘for maintenance of Scotland’s rail infrastructure, including safety of the line.’ He has 1,700 staff, a £100 million and an annual budget of £100M, enjoying ‘leading and managing people, having direct responsibility for deliverables, and the ability to influence how successful we are.

‘Working in a unionised environment means that staff often have to be persuaded of a course of action rather than ordered to take it. The quality and training of staff is more varied,’ but he reports that ‘the pay is far better.’

Published February 08

Rail Industry - Case Studies