updates from 40 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS November/December 2025 www.hpmag.co.uk Contact BCAS at Tel: 020 7935 2464 e-mail: info@bcas.org.uk website: www.bcas.org.uk Frances Marsh, Society Administrator at the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) is working with members to encourage them to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant - a new commitment from the Society and its members to those who have served. Here are some of the stories from veterans who have found their second home in the compressed air industry. An Army veteran’s perspective After 14 years in the Army, Jason Chapman found settling into civilian work hard. With six jobs in the first 12 months, the Royal Engineer veteran, now turned Business Development Manager for Atlas Copco, explains how the compressed air industry finally helped him feel at home. Said Jason: “Put simply, the skills we learn in the Army – keeping a clear head or finding a solution to fix a problem – are all transferable. It’s so rewarding to be putting everything I learnt in the military to good use. “11 years and three roles later, I honestly can’t see me working anywhere else. The compressed air industry has become my second family, and I truly believe that compressed air and military experience go hand in hand.” An RAF veteran’s perspective Mark White, Senior Product Manager at Parker Hannifin Manufacturing is celebrating his 35th year in the compressed air industry. But his working life started out very differently, as an Electronics Mechanic based at RAF Henlow. With more than three decades’ experience in the field of air treatment, he is passionate about passing on his skills to the next generation and believes the sector offers huge potential to veterans seeking a career outside of the Forces. “A military career can certainly give you an excellent grounding in key engineering fundamentals. It will often be the case that you are operating in a fast-paced environment where speed and accuracy are of the essence. You get used to working under pressure, where those softer skills of teamwork and good communication can really make a difference too. A second home “Compressed air is used throughout industry. It touches almost everything that is made and sold and offers a vast array of career opportunities. So even though those military skills may not come with an industry-recognised label, they are incredibly transferrable. “I’d encourage any veteran looking for an interesting and varied engineering role to put the compressed air and vacuum industry at the top of their list!” A Royal Navy veteran’s perspective For Royal Navy Veteran, Nigel Palmer, military life runs in the family. Following in his father’s footsteps, Nigel joined the Force in 1998 as a marine engineer and is now managing director of a thriving compressed air business, SCC Air Compressors UK Ltd. The key to his success? Nigel puts it all down to the work ethic, drive and can-do attitude instilled in him during his eight years’ military service. “The transition from a military to a civilian career can be really tough for veterans. Certainly, when I left the Royal Navy, it’s fair to say that I didn’t have a particular career path in mind. Like everyone else, earning money and paying the bills was a priority. However, I also felt confident that the skills I had developed would stand me in good stead for a future engineering role. I’m now proud to be part of the compressed air industry and its commitment to supporting veterans in their ongoing careers. It’s an industry where our skills can be used with great impact - whether it’s dealing quickly with equipment breakdown, commissioning a new installation or advising customers on new ways to improve efficiency and performance.” To learn more about BCAS’s commitment to the Armed Forces, visit the company’s website at https://armedforces.bcas.org.uk To find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant, visit: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ Leaving the military to pursue a civilian career can feel daunting, but the compressed air industry has already proved a perfect fit for many veterans. BCAS reports. Nigel Palmer Mark White
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=