Military Energy Industry Awareness Event Held in Norwich, UK

Around 80 serving and ex-military gathered on Wednesday 29^th May to decide if the energy industry would be their second career. With their high skill levels and attitudes they are highly regarded in the industry.

Ex-military speakers, currently working in the energy industry recounted their experiences leaving the services and their advice on how to make the transition as smooth as possible.

The Military Energy Industry Awareness event was organised as part of the Skills for Energy programme, hosted by EEEGR, and sponsored by the Norfolk Community Covenant. One of the main aims of Skills for Energy partnership is facilitate the access into the energy industry by the service leavers. One of its key projects is making access to the energy industry for ex-military smoother.

Executive Director for EEEGR, Celia Anderson, who leads the Skills for Energy programme, said: “We welcome the ex-military into the industry but we don’t make it easy for them. It is a growing industry with exciting opportunities for the right people. This event was designed to help them make career decisions and help them on the route.  The feedback was excellent and we will be running more this year.”

Amongst the speakers was Ian Moulton, operations improvement manager from Perenco, who spoke about how the equipment used in the energy industry is not too dissimilar to that used in the armed forces. Mr Moulton also highlighted the importance of using their transferable skills, but also demonstrating the ability to learn.

Other speakers included Mark Goodacre, operations technician at Shell, who previously spent 11 years in the RAF. Mr Goodacre said that the event was a comprehensive gathering of experience from the industry and motivated military and ex-military personnel. “I think everyone who attended learnt a great deal from the event, and the feedback I received was great. I have been in their position before so I know how they feel”, said Mr Goodacre.

Kip Morton from Turbine Efficiency spoke about the technicalities of gas turbines in the industry, and John Warden from ECITB highlighted the opportunities in the nuclear industry. Charlie Morris, a project manager from RES Offshore looked in depth at the opportunities in Offshore Wind which will be expanding in the next 5 years.

There will be a seminar session on military in the energy industry as part of the Skills for Energy Conference on 4th July 2013.

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Press release, June 3, 2013; Image: EEEGR