Alstom is the UK & Ireland’s leading supplier of new trains, train services, and signalling equipment. Alstom have built, or are building, just under 40% of the UK mainline train fleet; as well as the entire fleets in service with London Underground and Dublin Luas. We provide the widest range of smart solutions in the rail market, from innovative high-speed rolling stock, metros and trams to maintenance, modernisation, infrastructure and signalling. Employing 6000 people, we design and build trains at Derby, the UK’s largest train factory; and operate major sites at Widnes, Crewe, Ilford and Plymouth, and 30 train services depots across the UK and Ireland.
Alison Knight, Head of Talent said "We're looking for people who are leaving the armed services with transferrable skills we can put to good use in the projects that we are involved with, whether that is completing the Elizabeth line under Central London, decarbonising Britain’s railways though innovative technologies, or keeping Britain’s trains moving from over 30 sites across the country. As the country demands smarter and greener mobility we need to fill the skills gaps that exist in engineering, digital and design and it makes sense for us to tap into the skills and experience of armed forces personnel”
Technical Trainer and Competency Assessor
Vehicle mechanic
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME)
Veteran
My name is Nathan Lewis. I joined the Army aged 16 and spent 7 years serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) as a Vehicle mechanic (B). I loved my time in the Army and often reflect on it now. When the decision come to leave it was mainly due to starting a young family. My move into rail started at a career employment fair in Southampton. I went to this event alone, not knowing what to say or what to expect, but it turned out to be a very worthwhile trip. After registering my interest with Alstom (then Bombardier) I left the employment fair with an idea of what I wanted to do and how to go about it. Shortly after this I was invited for an interview and was successful in getting my first civilian job as a Dual Skilled Service Technician at Seven Kings depot, East London. Within Alstom I have found that there are plenty of opportunities to progress in my career. After Service Technician I was successful in becoming a Team leader and a Shift Production Manager. Currently I have moved into the Training team as a Technical Trainer and Competency Assessor. Within the company and wider rail industry, I have met many ex-forces personnel from all three forces and the forces banter is still very much alive. There is a great, shared feeling of camaraderie that I was so used to in the Army and the team spirit ethos is still present. The work is challenging but fun. I have been under pressure but also had some of my best laughs in the industry. With the skills I have learnt from my time in the REME I was able to transition into rail very quickly, I left the Army on a Friday and started in rail on the Monday, it was strange not shaving for work on Monday morning!
Senior Production Manager
Armoured Vehicle Mechanic, predominantly working on Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks, Warrior Armoured fighting Vehicles
My names is James Randall and I left the army in 2015 having been an Armoured Vehicle Mechanic, predominantly working on Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks, Warrior Armoured fighting Vehicles and AS90 Self-Propelled Howitzers during a 9 and a half year career, and seeing active service in Iraq, Afghanistan and peace keeping operations in the Falklands. With no real clue on what I wanted to do next, a friend recommended a career as a technician with Siemens, Having successfully applied, I started working at Northam depot working on Class 444 and Class 450 Desiro Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). It was here I built up a base knowledge of the railway and how it operated. However after 9 months I developed mental health issues relating to personal security, the welfare of my family and a loss of the camaraderie I had enjoyed with my armed forces family. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent support network at home and in work which helped me undergo 4 weeks of intensive therapy to overcome various disorders I was diagnosed with. After 18 months with Siemens I secured a position as commissioning manager for the Class 707’s EMUs at Clapham junction and Wimbledon. Once the units had entered service, I became a technical support engineer helping the fleet’s reliability improvements and software progression. After 6 months as a technical support engineer I applied as a team leader with Bombardier. My therapy had continued and I secured my objective of travelling on London Underground unaccompanied on my way to the job interview. I joined the Class 345 Project in 2018 and after 3 months as a team leader I made the jump to shift production manager, making use of all the opportunities afforded to me, I was then able to build upon a growing support network of colleagues, learn from experienced operations managers and my senior team to help me progress into my current role as Senior Production Manager for Alstom's West of London Operations covering Crossrail and London Overground.
Technical Training Manager
Chieftain and Challenger Gunnery Instructor as well as being a full operational crewman
My name is Mark Houghton. In 1984 aged 17 I joined the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment serving until 1995 and becoming a Chieftain and Challenger Gunnery Instructor as well as being a full operational crewman, reaching the rank of Corporal. I then passed selection for the Small Arms School Corps and became a Specialised Weapons Instructor for the Infantry serving all over the world. I was honoured to reach the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 and was awarded an MBE by HM the Queen in 2005. I left the Army that year after 22 years service and worked in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a Training Advisor for the Royal Guard. Returning to the UK in 2013 I was faced with the somewhat daunting civilian work environment for the first time. I was nervous that my skills would not be transferable and that I would struggle to find employment. I soon realised that this was not the case and I was able to secure employment with Network Rail as a Role Based Capability Project Manager using my Army skills and experience, especially military core values and the training I had received. It quickly became apparent that there was a large community of ex-service personnel within the company. I then applied to Alstom (Urban Northern Line) becoming Technical Training Manager for the South, a role I still perform. The role is demanding and challenging but my experience greatly enhances my ability to meet my objectives and ensures the team remain fully operational. Again there are a number of ex-service members in the company all with transferable skills and all doing well. Transitioning from service to civilian life can be daunting, but within companies such as Alstom there are many opportunities for the service community in all functions and at all levels. My advice to anyone leaving the armed forces is to consider the rail industry, In particular Alstom has a positive and well-established attitude towards veteran recruitment and fully support the Armed Forces Covenant.