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Bridging the Skills Gap in School Site Management

A new report, "Skills in Transition", reveals that UK Service leavers bring a unique combination of technical expertise and lived experience that aligns perfectly with the needs of modern schools. While the challenges of ageing school buildings are well-documented, veteran recruitment for schools offers an operational backbone that helps trusts move from reactive maintenance to proactive estate strategy.

The report identifies several key areas where military backgrounds provide a direct advantage for school estate management:

  • Engineering & maintenance: Veterans with backgrounds in mechanical or electrical fitter roles possess the skills needed to manage complex school infrastructure, from diagnosing heating system faults to overseeing electrical distribution.
  • Operational planning: The ability to coordinate operations is a core military strength. This translates directly to supporting the logistics of school site refurbishments and ensuring the learning environment remains undisturbed.
  • Precision and detail: "Detail-oriented" is one of the top-five most in-demand skills nationwide. In a school setting, this ensures that safety checks are meticulous and site standards remain high.

 

Built-In Reliability and Accountability

For school leaders, the greatest challenge is often finding staff who are not only skilled but consistently reliable. The report highlights that leadership, problem solving, and resilience are the top in-demand transferable skills requested by employers, all of which are vital components of effective school site management.

Beyond technical ability, veterans bring a set of core values and professional attributes that strengthen the operational integrity of a school:

  • Risk management: With demand for risk management skills projected to grow by 26.2% over the next two years, veterans offer a "safety-first" mindset that is essential for school compliance.
  • Adaptability: Mature veterans bring proven practical experience that allows them to transition quickly into caretaking roles without long lead times.
  • Accountability: The responsibility and discipline embedded in military culture ensure that site managers don't just "show up," they take ownership of the environment.

 

A Sustainable Solution for Schools and Trusts

Schools must look toward alternative pipelines of skilled workers. Recruiting veterans over 50 or those looking for a purposeful role after retirement is not just a hiring choice; it is a strategic investment.

By integrating these professionals into their teams, schools and trusts can secure long-term benefits for their infrastructure and local communities:

  • Stability for local growth: Veterans often seek careers that allow them to give back to their local community. This makes them an excellent fit for school environments where they can contribute to a positive local impact.
  • Closing the skills gap: Their mix of technical and "human" skills, like problem-solving, helps fill critical gaps in school site teams that are often hard to recruit for.
  • Transferable experience: Many veterans are looking for a way to apply a lifetime of service in a meaningful way. These roles allow them to use their hard-earned transferable skills in a professional environment that elevates the standard of school site management.

 

Watch the video below to hear from some of our military veterans about why they enjoy working in school environments.

 

 

Final thoughts

A school site is only as strong as the team managing it. By embracing veteran recruitment for schools, trusts can welcome professionals who bring technical expertise and valuable skills built from a lifetime of service.

 

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