From Military Service to Success at Sureserve Compliance Central: Inspiring Journeys in Engineering

Transitioning from a military career to civilian life is no small feat, but for many veterans, the skills, discipline, and determination honed in service provide a strong foundation for success in new professions. At Sureserve , we are proud to support veterans on their journey, offering opportunities that allow them to build meaningful careers while applying their unique experiences.

In this article, we highlight the inspiring stories of Simon, Michael, and Greg—three individuals who have made the transition from military roles to thriving careers at Sureserve Compliance Central. Their journeys showcase not only the challenges they’ve overcome but also the transferable skills they’ve brought to their new roles, the support they’ve received, and the successes they’ve achieved. From marine engineering to heating services, these veterans are a testament to the value of determination, adaptability, and teamwork in any field.

What was your role in the military and what made you decide to join Sureserve Compliance Central? 

In the royal navy I was a leading marine engineer mechanic and I decided that when I left I wanted to continue in engineering, I got into gas and got a work placement after my course that lead to a full time role I was tupe’d TO Sureserve Compliance Central in 2012 as a gas engineer.

How were your first few days/weeks at Sureserve Compliance Central? 

Sureserve Compliance Central were great, they gave me the time to adjust to there ways of doing the job and with the skills the military taught me I slotted straight in.

What does your job involve on a daily basis? 

My day to day role now is managing the workforce and the clients requirements over a large geographical area, every day is different and brings a different challenge.

What transferable skills did your military role help you bring to Sureserve Compliance Central?

My time in armed forces gave me excellent general life skills, time keeping, appearance, attitude, respect for others, thinking on my feet, I could go on but the job can be taught the attitude to work is installed in me from the royal navy. 

What have been the best things about working for Sureserve Compliance Central?

Freedom to plan and deliver my role in whichever way I see best, to be at home a lot more than I used and being able to adapt to the challenges I have every day in the way I see fit, so they have trust in me which I in turn repay in the trust I have in my management team.

What would you say to anyone leaving a military career and thinking of joining Sureserve Compliance Central? 

Do it, you are a valuable asset to any company that can see you and the skills that you will bring to the business and Sureserve Compliance Central know this already, the job can be taught but the transferrable skills and discipline you have already is another story.

What was your role in the military and what made you decide to become a gas engineer?

I served for 10 years in the Parachute Regiment. The 10 years were varied with operations, overseas training exercises, postings as an instructor at our recruit training centre and being the lead Physical Training Instructor (PTI) in my Battalion. It was important to me that I transitioned into a career and profession that would enable me to provide a good standard of living for my family. I knew that people’s heating and hot water was important to them so becoming a gas engineer was a sensible move to provide for my family. Plumbing has appealed to me most my life and I actually completed a year at college, studying plumbing, before joining the Army. 

How were your first few days/weeks as a gas engineer and at Sureserve Compliance Central? 

The team I worked with were very welcoming and understanding of my ability right from the start. The management were always approachable about anything I was struggling with and my workload represented my experience. One of the engineers was responsible of taking me round on jobs the first few days to show me how the team operates. He was brilliant at training me and showing me the ropes. When I went on my own after a few days, I was started off only on servicing and then the odd breakdown here and there to build my experience and confidence.

What does your job involve on a daily basis? 

A list of jobs comes through each morning with a bit of flexibility for me to plan my day. I’ll prioritise jobs as influenced from management and also if jobs are near each other etc. The team keep in touch with each other throughout the day to see if anyone needs a hand or if any emergency jobs come in at short notice. It’s my responsibility to ensure my van stock is up to scratch so we can deliver an efficient service. Generally you can get into a routine day to day but no two days are same.  

What transferable skills did your military role help you bring to Sureserve Compliance Central?

The skill that has stood out the most in my opinion is the ability to see a job through and not give up on it. I’ve been totally stuck on jobs a few times but the mentality of finding a way to become victorious or successful has massively shown itself on all of these occasions. There is so much to learn in this profession, and having that winning mentality that the military breeds into its personnel is valuable for any engineer.  

What have been the best things about being a gas engineer and working for Sureserve Compliance Central? 

There is so much to learn in this profession that you’ll never be bored.  Always something else to get your teeth stuck into and develop your skillset and experience. Massive sense of achievement and job satisfaction when you can ensure someone gets their heating and/or hot water back on, especially elderly or vulnerable customers. I would say the best thing about working at Sureserve Compliance Central is the team of engineers I have worked with. All very welcoming and a real sense of togetherness, which has proven itself time and time again. 

What would you say to anyone leaving a military career and thinking of becoming a gas engineer and joining Sureserve Compliance Central? 

Absolutely go for it. I owe a lot to Sureserve Compliance Central.

Meet Greg Hunter, who joined Sureserve Compliance Central from the Armed Forces in 2018.

Stationed in Colchester, Greg joined the Army at the age of 22; serving 9 years as a Paratrooper. Having decided to leave the forces, and following recommendations from friends his mind was set on becoming a gas engineer. He was drawn to the role through his love of fault finding and of manual work.  

Before leaving the Army, Greg undertook an ACS new entrant course at a specialist training facility; involving work experience placements and study. Completing this, he achieved all relevant qualifications and was a qualified engineer. Having completed his work experience at a local firm in Colchester, Greg had verbally been advised a role would be offered to him upon his formal exit from the forces. Greg was left disappointed when this wasn’t the case; the firm advised he would have to complete a further 3 years study before a role would be offered, as they had reservations about him dropping out of the industry in the interim. 

At this point Greg reached out to Sureserve Compliance Central, explaining his situation during a phone call to his local branch. Our Contracts Manager Wes Wallace invited him in for an interview, during which our Improver role was discussed. The role is aligned to those who have all relevant qualifications, yet lack practical experience, or confidence in their abilities. Greg was ecstatic to be offered this role, stating the whole Sureserve Compliance Central team were so friendly, approachable and understanding of his predicament, and prepared to help him along his resettlement journey. 

Leaving the forces on the Friday, Greg couldn’t wait to join our team and started with us the following Monday; having been married for 3 years, and living off the camp, he found it easy to adjust. Greg’s first week was spent shadowing another engineer, following which he was assigned his own appointments. Understanding that Improvers require assistance, his workload schedule was at a reduced level to that of our Gas Engineer’s.

“I had all the support of the Team Leaders, colleagues were always there when I needed them – just a phone call away, and able to offer good advice. The workload was manageable, and if I got stuck another local engineer was found on the tracker and came out to help me.”

Since joining Sureserve Compliance Central in November 2018, Greg has expanded his knowledge; having been put through additional qualifications in unvented, oil and manufacturer specific training, also receiving on the job training from his Team Leader. Through Greg’s dedication, Wes approved Greg’s promotion to a Gas Engineer in August 2019. Realising how supportive the Sureserve Compliance Central team are, Greg encouraged one of his friends (who were also planning on exiting the forces) to apply with us. Whilst still enrolled, his friend has been able to complete work experience alongside Greg; upon exiting in January 2021 he hopes to join us in the Improver role too.  

When asked to summarise the Improver process Greg states:

“The improver role at Sureserve Compliance Central is perfect for anyone getting out of the military and has a mind for fault finding and finding out the ‘why’. There will be ups and downs but stick it out, and with the support of everyone at Sureserve Compliance Central everything will fall into place after a while.”