Armed Forces Day (27 June) celebrates the skilled serving personnel, veterans and their families across the UK. For the construction industry, it’s a time to recognise how our sector connects with the Armed Forces. In particular, the Royal Engineers, who combine military skills with in-demand construction trades and apprenticeships.
Also known as Sappers, Royal Engineers are multi-skilled soldiers, combat engineers and tradespeople. Their support is integral to military operations. On the frontline, they bridge rivers and clear blocked routes. Behind the lines, they build camps, repair infrastructure, construct transport lines and even carry out bomb disposal. Where conflict has hit communities, Sappers are among the first to rebuild.
We caught up with two Sappers at the 2026 SkillBuild Regional Qualifiers to hear about their careers and their chosen construction trades.
SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees. It is run by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
Sapper George Park
Sapper George Park, training with 1 RSME in Chatham, is a Building Structural Finisher (BSF). He competed in Wall and Floor Tiling at the Burnley Regional Qualifier.
He said: “I joined the Royal Engineers, and I was picked as a Building Structural Finisher, which consists of multi-trades like painting, dry lining and tiling.”
Once he finishes his current phase of training, he’ll move onto more advanced skills. These include “rendering, plastering, air spraying paints, and floor screeding”.
Building Structural Finishers transform bare structures into mission-ready spaces. They provide the finishing touches to building projects. Their work could include finishing operation headquarters, field camps and hospitals.
Sapper Shishir Gurung
Sapper Shishir Gurung is currently training in the Bricklaying and Concrete (BNC) trade. He competed in Bricklaying at the Moulton College Regional Qualifier.
For Shishir, his path to Bricklaying is rooted in long-standing Gurkha tradition.
“After completing my infantry basic training, then we go for our B2 - basic combat engineer - and there we get our trade. That’s how I got into the BNC trade.”
Bricklaying and concrete work are vital to military engineering. Bricklayers are some of the first soldiers on the ground to build new structures that support operations. Their skills include crafting bridges, runways and other essential infrastructure.
Sapper Shishir Gurung: How do Royal Engineers get a trade?
This Armed Forces Day, we celebrate the Sappers and their involvement with construction.
Sapper Shishir Gurung - How do Royal Engineers get a trade? | 00:52
Choosing a trade
Choosing a trade is a key part of becoming a Sapper, with options to suit different abilities.
George explains: “There's several trades you can pick from. It can go from my trade, building structural finisher to an electrician or plumber.”
These are trades that benefit soldiers both during and after their military careers. George says: “It’s good in the engineers because they give you a trade, so when you do leave, you are set for civilian life as well.”
Royal Engineer apprenticeships are directly transferable to civilian trades. This means that Sappers can get relevant CSCS cards if they later choose to work on commercial construction projects. The military also offers trade refresher courses for those leaving the army.
Military skills and construction trades
Military skills and construction training are naturally complementary. Shishir credits his military experience for helping him at SkillBuild.
“I think the main thing [I’ve learned from the army] is time management and how to complete tasks under the pressure.”
Military service people are sought after by the construction industry for exactly these skills. Qualities like teamwork, precision, resilience and working under pressure are as important on a building site as they are in the army.
Celebrating construction skills in the army
It’s important to celebrate the link between the military and construction as we celebrate Armed Forces Day. With their work ethic and trade experience, the Royal Engineers enrich the construction industry.
Thank you to the Royal Engineers and the wider Armed Forces for your services. And thank you to Sappers George and Shishir for sharing their stories.
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