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.