Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S OPERATION CIVVY STREET
AFTER six years in the RAF, Shaun Hayman decided to focus on family life.
And his experience in logistics – moving military personnel and equipment around the world – landed him just the job he needed as a service centre manager for delivery firm Yodel near his home in Llandudno.
On Armed Forces Day this Saturday, firms nationwide celebrate how a military background, like 32-year-old Shaun’s, can shape your career in civvy street.
What does your job entail?
It ranges from controlling budgets, to monitoring resources, managing and supporting colleagues and ensuring we are on target to deliver the best service possible for our customers.
I’ve been here three years. It’s perfect. After leaving the RAF I worked as a shift manager at another logistics firm for a while, then I moved to Yodel where I started as a team manager.
After my first six months in the business, I was given the chance to progress to operations manager and a year later I was promoted to service centre manager.
What did you do in the RAF?
I joined as a logistics mover. We were responsible for the movement of troops and cargo according to tri-service (Army, Navy and Air Force) operational needs. I operated IT systems, managed the load and unload of transport aircraft, and accompanied cargo all over the world.
I did everything from checking in passengers flying out on operations to operating forklift trucks and specialist vehicles to load cargo and baggage to transport aircraft.
It was my role to plan aircraft loads using IT systems or calculate aircraft weights and balances ensuring safe take off/flight and landing. I was able to work in a port where cargo and explosives are handled or help put together an under-slung load for a helicopter.
Why did you join up?
I was 18 and from a military family. I grew up on military camps and was always keen to join the forces. The opportunities were second to none and I gained experiences I never would have in the civilian world, from travel to comradeship. I saw places I’d never have been able to see as a civilian as well.
The world was my oyster and with hard work and dedication I experienced life abroad, working in operational environments and gaining experience in machinery civilians would never have heard of. It developed me into an organised, efficient, strong leader when working through challenges.
Why did you leave?
I left the Forces because my partner, Donna, lived in North Wales and I was only seeing her at weekends. I wanted to be part of my stepchildren’s lives.
It was a hard decision to make initially as I loved the fact my job took me all over the world.
I left in December 2014 and took two months off to transition into civilian life and relocate. I started applying for roles in March 2015 before being offered a position at a logistics company in April. I believe my military background played a large part in me being offered the role because the logistics world is ideal for us.
The transition did not come without its challenges, but if you apply the values you are engrained with during military service and connect with people who have experienced it previously, it makes the change a lot easier. And I had strong family support behind me.
The transition came with challenges but I had strong family support
What makes former military personnel great employees?
There are many reasons why veterans are a great fit for any firm, some of which include being able to thrive under pressure, delivering against tight deadlines and an ability to cope with change.
Ex-forces personnel are trained and skilled to the highest levels with expertise ranging from senior executive leadership, through operational management, to technical and supervisory skills.