A landmark 1,000 job opportunities are now available on a recruitment platform dedicated to the building materials sector – which is encouraging veterans in Yorkshire to consider joining its ranks ahead of Armed Forces Day.
The BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and has a wide range of vacancies from its members at Building Materials Careers – an innovative cross-industry platform designed to channel talent into the sector.
Many of the roles available including sales, marketing, logistics, transport, procurement, HR, customer service, warehousing and management, align with skills achieved in military service, such as communication, planning and teamwork.
The BMF is also a holder of the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award, demonstrating that Armed Forces personnel are ideally suited to the building materials sector, where their leadership, and problem-solving capabilities transfer into rewarding civilian careers.
Former British Army Warrant Officer, Alan Harvey, Group Transport and Compliance Director at Harlow Timber Group and Sector Chair of the BMF Transport and Distribution Forum, is one veteran who has made the transition.
After a distinguished 25-year career in the Royal Logistics Corps, Alan moved into the building materials sector, where he has built a successful second career based on the leadership, planning and operational expertise developed during military service.
During his Army career, Alan held senior appointments including Regimental Sergeant Major, Head of Fleet for the British Army in London and Transport Manager for the London Olympic Games, overseeing complex logistics operations, fleet management and road safety programmes.
Today, he uses that experience to help shape best practice across the building materials supply chain and believes the industry offers significant opportunities for veterans and cadets.
Alan Harvey said: “As a veteran, I know firsthand how valuable the skills developed through Armed Forces training can be.
“Leadership, teamwork, communication, discipline and problem-solving aren’t just military skills; they’re skills that employers across the building materials sector actively look for every day.
“When I moved into civilian employment, I quickly realised that the confidence, resilience and ability to work under pressure that I had developed through my training transferred naturally into the workplace.
“The building materials industry offers far more than people often realise. It’s a sector full of diverse career paths, professional development opportunities and long-term prospects.
“If you’ve gained experience through the Armed Forces, you already have many of the qualities needed to succeed.
“Our skills are valuable, our experience matters, and this industry could be the perfect place to build your future.”
Building Materials Careers is the culmination of more than two years of cross-industry collaboration led by the BMF and harnesses the united power of the 1,000 plus companies in the £51 billion sector to tackle the recruitment challenges ahead.
Marianna Peet MIBM, Learning & Development and Apprenticeship Manager at the Builders Merchants Federation, said: “Reaching more than 1,000 live vacancies is a significant milestone and highlights the scale of opportunity available throughout our sector.
“These roles aren’t confined to one area but span everything from branch operations and logistics to HR, finance, marketing, procurement and senior management.
“The Armed Forces community represents an outstanding and underutilised talent pool. Veterans and cadets bring leadership, resilience, teamwork, communication skills and a strong work ethic – qualities that employers across our industry value enormously.
“By supporting the Armed Forces Covenant and working towards Silver Employer Recognition Scheme status, we want to encourage more businesses to recognise these transferable skills and provide rewarding, long-term careers for those leaving military service.”
The Building Materials Careers platform provides access to jobs, apprenticeships, employer profiles and career advice designed to attract the next generation of talent into one of the UK’s most important industries.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a national pledge ensuring members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and recognised for their contribution.
Through the Employer Recognition Scheme, organisations are encouraged to demonstrate tangible support for Defence personnel and their families through positive employment practices and active engagement.
More information and current vacancies can be found at www.bmcareers.com