As the nation pauses for Remembrance Day, we stop not only to honour those who have served but also to recognise the invaluable skills, discipline, and expertise that veterans bring to our civilian workforce every single day.
At City & Guilds Training, we are immensely proud that our teams—from our expert trainers to our managerial staff—are strengthened by the dedication of ex-service personnel. Their military careers have laid the foundation for technical excellence, safety leadership, and instruction, directly supporting our mission to raise industry standards.
From Battlefields to Training Rigs: The Technical Authority
Veterans often transition into training roles because their service has instilled an unmatched mastery of technical procedures and compliance. A powerful example is Sim Beasley, who dedicated 26 years to the British Army as an Avionics Technician in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).
Sim’s service involved servicing, maintaining, and repairing all battlefield helicopters across the Army Air Corps. His career spanned seven operational tours in places like Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, culminating in a senior role managing 90 aviation technicians. His experience as an Aeronautical Engineering Instructor at the prestigious Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering directly fuelled his desire to deliver high-quality engineering training upon retirement.
Sim’s story demonstrates how military service provides both unparalleled practical experience and the instructional competency needed to safeguard the next generation of engineers.
Leadership and Safety: The Paratrooper’s Perspective
The transition from military life is often complex, but the core skills—leadership, situational awareness, and a “safety-first” mindset—are non-negotiable assets in civilian roles.
Our Health and Safety Training Manager, Jason Bowater, spent nine distinguished years with the Parachute Regiment (including operational tours) before dedicating 13 years
as a Royal Army Physical Training Corps Instructor (RAPTCI). Today, Jason delivers and assesses crucial NEBOSH and IOSH qualifications for major clients like Network Rail and Siemens.
As Jason reflects: “My experience in the Parachute Regiment and RAPTC ingrained a strong safety-first mindset, situational awareness, and methodical approach to risk assessment.” He successfully translated years of instructing soldiers into clear communication and confidence, crucial skills needed when delivering complex accredited training to diverse audiences. His advice to fellow veterans is clear: “Use your military network with those who have already transitioned… take pride in your experience, and don’t undersell your value.”
Training that Builds on Service
As an organisation driven by purpose, City & Guilds Training is deeply invested in veteran success. We understand that your military service has already equipped you with invaluable skills: discipline, leadership, problem-solving under pressure, and the ability to work as part of a high-performing team.
We specialise in helping you build on these foundations with industry-recognised qualifications across sectors like rail, electrical, construction, health & safety and green skills. We are committed to empowering ex-service personnel to overcome the challenges of transition, providing not just employment, but a clear path for career progression where military experience becomes a cornerstone of civilian success.
We honour the service of Sim, Jason, and all our staff who have served. We thank you for your commitment to keeping the UK safe, both on operations and now in the workplace.
To find out more about how we transform military skills into high-demand civilian qualifications, contact our team today.
