Last weekend marked a special milestone for the Operator Skills Hub as we proudly hosted our first ever Ex-Armed Forces, Service Leavers and Veterans Open Day, delivered in partnership with Balfour Beatty plc and Flannery Plant Hire.

Held across our Skills Hubs in Birmingham, Kirklees, and Iver, the event brought together Veterans, Service Leavers, and our own team (many of whom are ex-Forces themselves) for a day dedicated to new beginnings and opportunities in construction.

From open discussions led by our trainers sharing their own journeys from the military into construction, to hands-on demonstrations on our immersive simulators and guided tours of our training plant, the day offered a genuine insight into what a career in this sector can look like.

We were honoured to be joined by James Grant, a former veteran and Skills Bootcamp graduate, who shared his inspiring story about life after service and how the Operator Skills Hub’s training and support helped him successfully transition into the industry.

Supporting Veterans is especially close to our hearts, as many of our instructors and staff are former service personnel, and their experience, discipline and leadership are a huge part of what makes the Operator Skills Hub what it is today.

By bridging the skills gap and connecting motivated individuals with rewarding roles, we’re proud to play a part in shaping the future of the construction workforce, whilst helping those who have served our country to build new futures in an industry that needs their skills more than ever.

October 11th 2025