Sam Nolan served in the Royal Air Force, leaving in 2009 after six years with the rank of Senior Aircraftman.
Sam advised: “A typical day in my military role involved equipment checks, scenario training, risk assessments, and ensuring readiness to respond to attacks or incidents around the world.
My service gave me strong risk management, planning, leadership, and communication skills, as well as the ability to perform effectively in high-pressure, safety-critical environments.
I have now been in the construction industry for more than a decade. I started out as a labourer and, by drawing on the skills I developed in the Armed Forces, progressed to the role of Project Supervisor. That journey gave me a deep understanding of the construction industry and a real appreciation of how transferable military skills can be. It also placed me in a strong position when BuildForce recommended me for my current role with Sizewell C as an Assistant Project Manager—a role I am extremely proud to hold.
Because I was already established in the construction industry, I had previous contact with BuildForce. They recognised my skills and experience early on and were proactive in supporting my progression by putting me forward for this opportunity.
I often reflect that I wish BuildForce had been there in the early stages of my own transition to civilian life, when the process felt challenging and unsupported. That experience now puts me in an ideal position to help others make the move into construction through my role as a BuildForce Mentor.
When I left the Forces, I had little understanding of the environment I was stepping into. Others did not always recognise the value of my experience, and it was difficult to get my skills properly understood. I also had no clear insight into civilian training routes or the path ahead. Thankfully, with organisations like BuildForce and the support they now provide, the transition is very different for today’s Service Leavers and Veterans.
In my current role, I support project delivery by coordinating teams, managing risk, and helping to ensure safe and efficient site operations. A typical day can involve coordinating site activities, attending planning meetings, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, legal, and Sizewell C requirements.
As a Veteran, I brought strong communication, leadership, planning, organisation, and risk management skills into the construction industry—skills that have proved highly transferable.
My advice to anyone leaving the Armed Forces is simple: speak to BuildForce as early as possible in your transition. They can support you throughout the process. Take time to understand training requirements, stay positive, and keep safety at the forefront of everything you do.
A career in construction places a strong emphasis on safety, with compliance also playing a vital role. The communication, leadership, and planning skills developed in the Armed Forces make Service Leavers and Veterans a real asset to the industry.”