Andrew “Drew” Edmunds is a Learning and Performance Specialist at Oceaneering’s Rosyth, Scotland, location.
Training comes naturally to Drew after serving 11 years in the Corps of Royal Engineers in the British Army, attaining the rank of Corporal.
He served two operational tours in Afghanistan for the Royal Engineers Search Team (REST) in 2006 and 2009, serving on the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group. Drew said his primary role was to clear routes that had a high probability of containing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Drew expanded his skills and found his passion, training Army recruits at Army Training Regiment (ATR) Bassingbourn. It was here that he worked as a weapons instructor, a shooting coach, range safety supervisor, a mountain leader, and a counter-IED instructor.
“I taught everything from map reading to drill and living and fighting in the field. I trained 17-32-year-olds through their 14 weeks of basic training. It was while at Bassingbourn that I found a passion for training, coaching, and learning and development. I received my first training qualification – a CTLLS (Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector),” he said.
Drew said that serving in the military gave him a solid work ethic and the ability to be flexible in his approach to challenging situations. He learned to be agile while remaining cool under pressure and uncovered that there is no “one size fits all” approach to management and that people respond differently to various styles of leadership.
During his time at Oceaneering, Drew has found parallels between the company’s Core Values and the British Army’s Leadership Code.
”The British Army’s core values of courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty, and selfless commitment, are instilled in every soldier and are the same values that I live by today,” he said.
As a Learning and Performance Specialist at Oceaneering, Drew said he has experienced the support of developmental growth from management. He highlighted the Oceaneering Women’s Network and the Oceaneering Veterans’ Network as great resources and communities for like-minded people to connect and support one another.
On transitioning to the civilian workforce after service, Drew said it can feel daunting because of the uncertainty of whether you will fit in and get along with civilians. But his advice is to take the skills learned in service and think about how to translate them into “an understandable civilian language.”
“You’re not alone,” he said. “There is a huge support network out there for forces veterans. Speak to friends who have transitioned, use LinkedIn or Facebook to connect with people and ask questions. Or in Oceaneering’s case, get in touch with the Veterans’ Network.”
Interested in a new career path? Visit our Careers page to search our available job opportunities.