Amazon Coalville is celebrating Armed Forces Day (June 25) by shining a light on a veteran who joined the company through the company's Military Programme.

Max Cassily has been at the Coalville centre since 2020 as part of a programme which offers members of the military community the opportunity to pursue a wide range of exciting new career paths at Amazon.

This year Amazon will recruit (or has recruited) over 300 veterans, reservists and military spouses across the business in over 35 different jobs ranging from health & safety specialists, engineers, sales managers and team leaders to senior managers.

These new employees join over 2,500 already employed at Amazon since it commenced its military programme in 2011.

Max joined Amazon through the Amazon Military Programme two years ago and is currently working as an operations manager based at the Coalville sortation centre.

Before joining Amazon, Max attended Welbeck Defence Sixth Form college in Loughborough where he became an Army reserve.

He then moved on to become an officer in the Royal Logistics Corps for five years. 

After leaving the military in 2017, Max took a role in retail.

Three years later, Max and his wife moved to Birmingham to start a family and on the search for a new job.

Max had always been interested in Amazon and after the move to Birmingham, he decided to apply.

Speaking on why he joined Amazon after leaving the military, Max said: "I wanted to join Amazon for two reasons – the progression opportunities and the brilliant things I'd heard from my ex-military friends who worked at the company.

"The number of different roles and buildings opens a huge range of possibilities to move around not only the country, but the world,"

Max said: "My wife is German and one day we might move over there, and I know that if that happens, I'll have every opportunity to transfer to an Amazon building in Germany."

For anyone who has recently left the military, or is thinking of leaving the military, Max has some advice.

He added: "There are so many great roles available at Amazon across multiple parts of the business that are perfect for former military personnel.

"I'd advise anyone who's interested to attend the free Amazon Military events organised online and across the country every year."

Vikas Sharma, Site Leader at Amazon in Coalville, said: "The Amazon Military Programme has been a fantastic success and Max is one of the many brilliant veterans and reservists working in Amazon buildings here in Coalville and around the UK.

"The skills learned in the military are highly transferable to a role at Amazon and we're pleased to continue offering employment, training and development opportunities to former servicemen and women through our programme."

Gillian Russell, Principle Programme Manager, Global Military Affairs and retired Royal Navy Officer at Amazon, added: "The military community brings huge value to the workforce and we have a dedicated team focused on bringing that talent into Amazon.

"We offer opportunities across the] whole business and we train, develop and support veterans, military spouses and Reserves to flourish and thrive here.

"We believe everyone should have the opportunity to lean new skills and build their career at Amazon."

Amazon has been awarded the Employer of the Year Award at the Ex-Forces in Business Awards for two years in succession for its outstanding efforts in supporting ex-services personnel and military spouses.

The Ex-Forces in Business Awards is the world's largest celebration of military veterans in second careers.

The awards are dedicated to providing a much-needed platform for uncovering and showcasing the business achievements of ex-military, recognising the value veterans add to businesses as well as the employers that support the transition of servicemen and women.

Amazon's military onboarding plan dedicated mentoring platform and thriving employee resource group 'Warriors at Amazon' continue to ensure our ex-forces have the best possible start their second careers in Industry.