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In Season 6, Episode 4 of Off The Job: A Tradesman Podcast, hosts Pete and Keiran are joined by Pete Matthews, a former infantry soldier who served 23 years in the British Army before retraining as a self-employed gas engineer.
Pete shares his powerful journey from combat zones to boiler installs—covering everything from surviving IEDs and mortar attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, to adapting to civilian life and launching his own heating business during the pandemic. He opens up about how military discipline, mental resilience, and tactical thinking helped him fast-track his gas qualifications and grow a successful business.
This episode covers:
🔧 Using military training grants to retrain in the trades
🎯 The mindset shift from Army life to self-employment
🛠️ Fast-tracking gas safe qualifications & building a portfolio
💥 Stories from Iraq, Afghanistan & a helicopter crash
📈 Why continuous learning and networking fuel trade success
💬 The value of mental strength and humour in high-pressure work
Whether you’re a veteran looking to retrain, a gas engineer wanting inspiration, or someone exploring a new career in the trades—Pete’s story is a must-listen.
🎙 Off The Job: A Tradesman Podcast – Season 6
📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/
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⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.
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