Former Platoon Sergeant finds new career thanks to Scottish Gas scheme

dailyrecord.co.uk:

When Galashiels-born Kieran Haig’s 12-year army career ended, he wanted a new challenge where he could learn new skills, fulfil his potential and provide for his young family.

After discovering the Centrica Armed Forces Pathway, which gives service leavers the opportunity to retrain and build a new career with Scottish Gas, Kieran decided to apply.

Here’s Kieran’s story in his words:"People who have served in the forces can sometimes struggle to find a new role after they leave, which can be really stressful," explained Kieran. "I served in the Royal Regiment of Scotland and reached the rank of Platoon Sergeant.

It was hugely challenging and very rewarding, but unfortunately, it ended when I was given a medical discharge."I wanted to get into the energy industry, and when I overheard a colleague talking about the Centrica Armed Forces Pathway, my ears pricked up."Kieran continued: "Centrica recognises that it can be hard resettling into civilian life and finding a career, and the apprenticeship is designed for people transitioning out of the military."Within two days of applying, I had an interview and six weeks later, I started my apprenticeship."Centrica paid me to train, which was important as I had a family and a mortgage to pay - and my wife was pregnant at the time.""It was challenging at the beginning, especially because I didn’t have a technical background at all," said Kieran."But you learn everything about the trade, starting with the basics, before moving on to fault finding and repairing all kinds of appliances."There’s a mixture of time in the classroom and being out on the tools with a mentor, doing real jobs and putting what you’ve been taught into practice."It all ends with a four-day test, combining