Ex-Forces
Transitioning from HM Forces
Leaving the military can feel like stepping off a cliff. One day you’re squared away, part of a unit, clear on the mission. The next, you’re a civvy trying to work out what comes next.
I’ve been there. After 6 years in the RAF working on Chinooks and a few dusty tours, I handed my uniform in. This was December 2008, right in the middle of a global financial crisis.
I thought my engineering skills would just slot straight into civvy aviation jobs. Spoiler: they didn’t. Luckily, the rail industry recognised my transferable skills. But the learning curve was brutal. That’s why I built the course I wish I’d had when I made the jump.
Why Rail?
Here’s the good news: the rail industry loves ex-forces. Discipline, teamwork, safety mindset, cracking on until the job’s done … it all fits. Every year, thousands of service leavers get picked up by rail companies. You’ve already got the mindset. But you’ll need to bridge the gap between military and rail using rail-specific knowledge, commercial awareness, and an understanding of industry standards & compliance.
That’s where the Introduction to Rolling Stock course comes in. It strips out the fluff and gives you the essentials: how trains work, how the industry is structured, and how to speak the lingo. It’s enough to make you stand out from the crowd when you’re trying to land that first rail job
Not Sure Where To Start?
I’ll guide you through the recruitment process, give you the heads-up on decent recruitment agencies (the ones worth your time), and talk through the pros and cons of PAYE, contracting, and umbrella gigs.
No BS, just straight answers from someone who’s done it.
Resettlement Grants & Allowances
Here’s another win: Online Rail Courses has been recognised as a preferred supplier by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). So if you’re set on the railway and have the resettlement funding, contact your Service Resettlement Advisor or drop me a line for more information.
Online Rail Courses* is the only E-Learning railway training provider listed as a Preferred Supplier with CTP.
* Please note Online Rail Courses is a trade name of Trevally Engineering Ltd (Company No. 9011094), please search Trevally Engineering on the CTP website.
The Bottom Line
If you’re coming out of the forces and eyeing up rail, the Introduction to Rolling Stock course gives you the head start I never had.
It’s built by someone who’s walked the same path, speaks the same language, and knows what it takes to succeed in rail.
Stop guessing.
Get the knowledge.
Get confident.
Get moving towards your next mission.