Ex-soldiers get Fylde connected

These two Fylde coast Army veterans have swapped their helmets for hard hats as they embark on a new challenge in civilian life.
Adam Archer, 29, of South Shore, spent 11 years in the army before joining BT's Openreach team of engineers.Adam Archer, 29, of South Shore, spent 11 years in the army before joining BT's Openreach team of engineers.
Adam Archer, 29, of South Shore, spent 11 years in the army before joining BT's Openreach team of engineers.

The pair have spent a combined 34 years in the Armed Forces, but have now joined the team of engineers responsible for rolling out superfast broadband across Lancashire.

Rob Povey, 41, from Wesham, clocked up 23 years with the Royal Green Jackets.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Adam Archer, 29, from South Shore, spent 11 years in the Army, most recently as an instructor in the School of Signals.

Rob Povey, 41, of Wesham, spent 23 years in the army before joining BT's Openreach team of engineers.Rob Povey, 41, of Wesham, spent 23 years in the army before joining BT's Openreach team of engineers.
Rob Povey, 41, of Wesham, spent 23 years in the army before joining BT's Openreach team of engineers.

They have travelled the world as part of their careers, but will now be using their skills a little closer to home installing underground fibre optic cables as part of BT’s Openreach scheme.

The project, between BT and Lancashire County Council, aims to deliver high-speed internet to 97 per cent of the county by the end of next year.

Family man Adam, whose second child is on the way, spent his career working in the likes of Canada and Afghanistan.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “In my previous job, communications were often about helping to save people’s lives on the battlefield. “Now my work is more about using communications to help enhance people’s lives.”

Dad-of-two Robert saw active service in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland.

He said: “There’s a sense of teamwork, and everyone is very disciplined and focused on what they’re doing.

“A lot of the work I did with the Army involved helping to re-build communities and to help promote good relations with local people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Now I’m still playing an important role in building communities, but not on the other side of the world.”

The pair joined Openreach as part of a recruitment drive in the region that saw 130 jobs created across the North West.

Follow us on Twitter @The_Gazette and like our page on Facebook to keep up with all the latest news.