Engineering My Future: Balancing my Roles in Atkins and the Army Reserves
I'm Kieron Leahy, a second-year Electromechanical Engineering apprentice at Atkins, a member of the AtkinsRéalis Group. My diverse experiences at Atkins include testing Airbus A350-1000 landing gear; designing an innovative electromagnetic system, and experiencing the inside of a Challenger 2 tank. I've also explored the interiors of submarines and worked in diverse conditions at a Naval Base, which helped me appreciate the importance of my role in national defence.
Recently, I started the process of joining the Army Reserves as a Gunner in the 104 Royal Artillery Regiment. This is an opportunity which will allow me to develop leadership and communication skills that will benefit my work at Atkins. Teamwork is also a skill that cannot be forgotten as there is no way you can move and operate a field gun on your own. As the first apprentice in my scheme to become a reservist, balancing military service with my apprenticeship continues to be a unique journey. Atkins' commitment to the Armed Forces provides me with the necessary support and time allowance to manage both my professional and military responsibilities.
So, what are the Five Best Things About Being an Atkins Army Reserve?
1. Flexibility to Thrive: I could take on more duties depending on my role, such as progressing to an Army Officer, as Atkins offer the ability to buy up to 15 days of extra holiday. This and a wide range of other benefits are available through a scheme called "Your Reward" that can be tailored to an individual’s lifestyle. As a reservist, I have an additional ten days of paid annual leave, ensuring I can meet my minimum training commitment and if required, can be deployed on operations and exercises. Our flexible working culture is second to none and really helps me prioritise work, Reserves and study.
2. Support Through Change: Atkins offers mentoring for those moving to Civvy Street. Our dedicated ‘Partnering with Armed Forces’ (PwAF) team organises events including virtual careers fairs and in-person Military Insight days. Mentoring is always available to help ensure smooth transitions for our military personnel. Atkins was one of the first signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, a Gold Award holder in the MOD's Employer Recognition Scheme and was also awarded Best Large Employer Company at the Heropreneur Awards in 2019.
3. Health and Well-being: Atkins hosts several campaigns for engagement and support, such as mental and physical well-being – one of their key commitments. Recognizing the importance of mental health, the company signed the Time to Change Pledge in 2017, developing an action plan to encourage us to talk openly about mental health. Our Mental Health First Aiders signpost individuals to resources such as the Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health, well-being hub, HR, and more. The organization also helps the community understand their entitlement to benefits and how to access veteran-specific health and well-being support from the NHS and military charities.
4. Staff Engagement and Development: This includes growing our internal network and encouraging collaboration, engagement and joint activities. Atkins supports the recruitment of reservists and their deployment on operations, as well as cadet force adult volunteers. Atkins also runs reservist recruitment fairs to encourage staff members to consider becoming a reservist.
5. Inclusivity and Support: Atkins recognizes the value the armed forces community brings to civilian sectors. The organization provides a welcoming environment for our growing Armed Forces Community, where people understand their background, experiences, language (including Three Letter Acronyms!) and unique culture. The dedicated PwAF team is here to help veterans and reservists alike, along this journey.
I'm proud to be engineering a better future for our planet and its people at Atkins. From leadership, stakeholder management, delivery focus, problem-solving and teamwork through to specialist skills – the organization knows that the contribution of armed forces personnel like me in this journey is immeasurable.
Reserves and veterans feel at home joining our company with its solid military-friendly culture: Discover more and search live roles.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/04/2025
Summary
With an AtkinsRéalis apprenticeship, you’re in great company - our apprentices always have the opportunity to be part of a wide variety of projects that can leave a lasting legacy on the world ar

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
You might find yourself wondering “Are placements and internships the same in the UK?” and that’s what we’re here to answer in this blog along with giving some extra insight. While both options c
+ver+2.png)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
Hello & salaam! I'm Fawziyah, a Degree Apprentice at AtkinsRéalis, currently on the Apprentice Consultant Development Programme and pursuing a degree in project management. As an early careers

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/22/2025
Summary
Engineering, design, and project management are exciting areas to work in. Whether you work in an engineering, technical, or a non-engineering role, they are sectors that offer an enormous bread

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/13/2025
Summary
Hi, my name's Tom. I've recently finished studying engineering, maths and biology at college and I am one of the new advanced apprentices at AtkinsRéalis. Growing up, my favorite pastimes were Le

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/09/2025
Summary
Welcome to the first installment of our Future Leaders Series for 2024, where we hear from two standout talents, engineering graduates Rhys and Ellie. They tell us about their life inside AtkinsR

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/03/2025
Summary
It’s a really exciting time to join our Nuclear & Power team on our Nuclear Safety Graduate Scheme. Our team works collaboratively across all of our market areas which are aligned with our key cl

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/03/2025
Summary
Do you want to join a team that asks questions and dares to see things differently while engineering a better future for our planet and its people? If the answer is yes, keep reading. Graduate

Preview
EuropeContent type
ProjectsPublish date
12/19/2024
Summary
AtkinsRéalis is proud to play a pivotal role in the Havant Thicket Reservoir, an innovative and environmentally focused project in Hampshire. Commissioned to design the reservoir and secure pl

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/19/2024
Summary
Hi, I'm Yuxiang, a Graduate Civil Engineer at AtkinsRéalis. After an inspiring summer placement with the organization (and after my graduation) I joined the highways team in Epsom. The Graduate De
Related jobs
We are sorry but we currently have no jobs in this area.
Continue browsing to look at our other available opportunities
Talent community
Would you like to know more? Not ready to apply? Join our talent community to stay connected and engaged with us at AtkinsRéalis.
Find out more