From Service to Skills Academy to Site: Building a New Career in Construction
After 23 years of service in the Royals Engineers of the British Army, Ryan Gooding began planning his next chapter.
Academy: Building Heroes Heybridge Skills Academy
Delivery Partners: Vistry Group & Eastern Education Group
Programme Completed: Spring 2025
Current Role: Groundworker, Rose Builders
Background: Service to Civilian
After 23 years of service in the Royals Engineers of the British Army, Ryan Gooding began planning his next chapter. Like many who transition, he wanted a role with purpose, teamwork, and clear progression, while translating military discipline and problem-solving into a civilian career.
“Even just certain terminology,” Ryan reflects, “it makes a big difference when you’re starting somewhere new. The Building Heroes team really understood that.”
The Building Heroes Experience
In Spring 2025, Ryan enrolled at the Heybridge Skills Academy, delivered in partnership with Vistry Group and the Eastern Education Group. Across the intensive programme he:
- Built core construction skills (health & safety, basic tools/plant, site readiness, trade tasters).
- Completed employability sessions (CV, interview prep, and industry briefings tailored to ex-forces).
- Took part in structured site visits to Vistry’s Heybridge development, meeting the site management team and supply chain partners.
- Spent time meeting with the groundworks team to understand how enabling works, drainage, services installation, kerbing, and footings are sequenced on a live site.
“Having those site visits and speaking directly with the ground workers made it real,” says Ryan. “That was the first time I thought: this could be it—a career where I can graft, learn fast, and progress.”
The combination of classroom learning, practical skills, and face-to-face introductions gave Ryan the confidence to map his military strengths. Teamwork, communication, following method statements, safety focus onto a clear construction pathway.
From Graduate to Groundworker
At graduation, Ryan was introduced to long term Building Heroes supporters, Rose Builders, another committed industry partner in Building Heroes’ employer network. Following a successful interview and site meeting, Ryan joined Rose as a Groundworker.
He now contributes to day-to-day enabling and civils activities, supports safe systems of work, and continues to up-skill on site.
“Building Heroes gave me the confidence and the skills to move forward,” Ryan says. “The site exposure at Heybridge helped me see the job in action. Now I’m part of a great team, doing a role I really enjoy and I can see the next steps.”
Why It Works
- Real-world exposure: Live-site visits and supply-chain intros turned interest into commitment.
- Tailored transition: Instructors and mentors who “speak both languages”—military and construction.
- Employer pipeline: Warm introductions to partners like Rose Builders accelerated the move into work.
If you’re a service leaver, veteran, reservist or family member ready for a new start, register your interest below with Building Heroes to access training, site exposure, and real employer opportunities.
