From Military Service to Site Leadership: LPL Construction Backs Veterans at BuildForce

Leaving the armed forces and starting a civilian career can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. Veterans and service leavers bring discipline, quick problem-solving, logistics experience and the ability to lead under pressure, but on paper those skills often get lost in translation. Military terms and civilian job descriptions don’t always line up.

Connecting that talent with the built environment is the purpose of BuildForce. LPL Construction recently joined other contractors, consultants and service personnel at the latest BuildForce industry event, represented by Tom Kenny, MCIOB (Director of Project Delivery for London Stansted and Manchester Airport) and Grant Rayne, MCIOB (Compliance Director).

The day was an important step in our ongoing work with the armed forces community, and a chance to put our commitment to mentoring, skills transfer and career pathways into practice on complex capital infrastructure projects.

What is BuildForce, and why does it matter to construction?

BuildForce was established in 2011 as an industry-led initiative. It is a nationwide programme that helps armed forces personnel, including veterans, service leavers, reservists and their partners, move into long-term careers in construction and the wider built environment. It is backed by industry employers, major infrastructure programmes, the CITB and professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The support on offer includes 1-to-1 mentoring, structured insight days, work placements, upskilling and dedicated wellbeing support.

It addresses two clear needs.

1) Closing the skills gap.

The UK construction sector has well-documented recruitment challenges and an ageing workforce. Meeting national infrastructure goals will take tens of thousands of skilled, dependable professionals every year.

2) Making the most of proven leadership.

Military personnel are used to health and safety compliance, project management, technical logistics and working as a team under pressure. Those strengths carry straight over to site management, civils delivery and complex project work.

By explaining how the industry works and giving people a softer landing as they return to civilian life, BuildForce helps construction keep hold of talent that is disciplined and adaptable.

Giving something back: Tom Kenny

For Tom, the event was personal. He moved from a military background into construction management himself, so he knows how uncertain it can feel to leave the services.

Tom joined the BuildForce Programme around 18 months ago as an individual mentor, as a way of supporting the veteran community. Over that time, his own pledge has grown into a company-wide effort at LPL to create routes for veterans into live operational and project delivery roles.

I originally joined BuildForce Programme about 18 months ago with a view to offer mentorship to those leaving the military as a way of giving a little bit back. It then grew into a company relationship to try and assist with moving veterans into live roles within the LPL team […] The best part of the day was meeting all the Military guys and girls that were due to leave the Military within the year. Some of them were like rabbits in a head light and others had a clear plan of what and where they were heading. Which was great but one thing they all had in common was the ability to chat and hear mine and Grant Rayne MCIOB experience, advice and general assistance with what they were about to embark upon.

Tom Kenny, MCIOB, Director Project Delivery

During the day, Tom also caught up with armed forces colleagues, including veteran Marcus Clarke, and met people just starting out in the industry, such as Jack Tait, an apprentice with AtkinsRéalis. It was a good reminder of how much contractors gain by working together across the supply chain to bring new people into construction.

A different perspective: Grant Rayne

Grant came to the day from another angle. He hasn’t served in the military, but he is a regular at regional careers events, Meet the Buyer forums and outreach days for SEND and NEET groups. This was his first BuildForce event, and it clearly left an impression.

Today was my first attendance at a BuildForce Programme. What a day! I met some inspiring and talented service personnel with varying stories and aspirations and i can hand on heart say that today was an enlightening day for me personally. I was inspired at the opportunities on the horizon for our exemplary service teams transitioning into what must feel like an intimidating phase of their lives […] I must express that i have never been in the military services but am really proud of you all for your service and also for who you will come to be as you venture into what is the love and challenge of my life – Construction. You will be successful, you will be content and you will find your way. If at first you don’t succeed or fit with a particular role or company, try try again!

Grant Rayne, MCIOB, Compliance Director

Grant pointed out that the jargon may differ between the military and a construction site, but the principles underneath are the same: integrity, clear communication, following procedure and looking out for your team.

Our commitment to the armed forces community

Supporting people who have served is part of LPL’s wider social value approach. Our involvement with BuildForce sits alongside our Bronze Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). That award recognised our pledge to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and to treat service leavers and reservists fairly. Turning up at events like BuildForce is how we put that pledge into practice.

Whether we are delivering airside civils at London Stansted and Manchester Airport or infrastructure packages elsewhere in the UK, our teams rely on clarity, discipline and procedural rigour, which are qualities veterans bring with them.

Open doors for service leavers

We are working closely with BuildForce to identify candidates for work placements, site secondments and permanent roles in our project delivery teams.

If you are a service leaver, reservist or veteran thinking about a future in construction, or you would simply like an informal chat about how your military experience maps onto site management, quality compliance or project delivery, Tom Kenny and Grant Rayne are happy to offer mentoring, guidance and advice.

To find out more about routes into the industry, visit the BuildForce UK platform, or get in touch with our team directly via our LPL Construction contact page.