Events

Ex-Lance Corporal says military personnel will prosper at Salisbury housebuilder

- 30 Oct 18

More military personnel should join the housebuilding industry as they hold the transferrable skills necessary to ‘get to the top’, according to a former Lance Corporal in Salisbury who is doing just that.

Tony Lamb, an assistant site manager at Bovis Homes’ Longhedge Village location, said ex-servicemen and women had the discipline and skills to succeed at the highest level in the new-homes sector.

Tony, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, first got into the industry when he attended a Career Transition Partnership (CTP) employment fair in Southampton three years ago.

The CTP are the official provider of Armed Forces resettlement and Tony was back at the same event 36 months on, this time on the other side of the stall, to showcase opportunities at Bovis Homes.

Tony, from Trowbridge, said: “It’s a brilliant careers event and it was fantastic to see enthusiastic people transitioning into the civilian sector and looking to get into the housing industry. It was also a great privilege to attend as an exhibitor.

“Housebuilding is a great route to go down, and those leaving the Armed Forces definitely have the skillset required to do very well in the industry because of their dedication, passion, organisation, technical and practical knowledge and timekeeping.

“These are all vital aspects required of housebuilder workers. It’s not the easiest job but if you’re up for a challenge, you have the opportunity to go right to the top – there’s no limit.”

Tony, who joined Bovis Homes in December last year, told attendees at the careers fair, held in Southampton, about the housebuilder’s trainee assistant site manager programme.

The initiative, which builds up participants with strong leadership and management traits into assistant site managers, starts later this year.

As well as completing a similar programme, Tony has an NVQ Level 6 Diploma in Construction Site Management, which takes 12 months to complete, from the Construction Industry Training Board.

“Those that came up to our stall wanted to know what Bovis Homes could offer them and what we do on a day-to-day basis at the company,” he said.

“When building a house, you do it in many stages and there is a set procedure that works, that those who have served in the military could easily pick up, follow and improve. They are used to hitting deadlines and targets.”

The former vehicle commander and maintenance supervisor, who was part of the 1st Regiment Royal Tank Regiment in Tidworth, was in the British Army for 10 years and also served in Canada and Germany. He managed a group of 10 personnel and an armoured vehicle fleet.

After progressing from trainee assistant site manager, he now assists the site manager, liaising with trades, monitoring site work and carrying out health and safety inspections.

He says that being in the Forces has also helped him motivate colleagues and communicate clearly with customers.

Roger Morton, performance director at Bovis Homes and a former Royal Engineer, said: “Tony is a hard worker and great example of ex-military people thriving in the housebuilding sector.

"I’m proud of our relationship with the Armed Forces and encourage those with an interest in the housing industry to get in touch.”

Bovis Homes received the prestigious Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence Employee Recognition Scheme (ERS) last year for supporting the employment of military people.

It is also a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.