As part of Armed Forces Week, and our ongoing commitment to supporting veterans, we are sharing some of our employee stories about transforming their military experience into thriving careers at City & Guilds Training. Here, we look at Jason’s story and his journey from Paratrooper to Health and Safety Training Manager at City & Guilds Training.
From Paratrooper to Health & Safety Expert: Jason Bowater’s Transition Success
After 22 years of distinguished military service, Jason Bowater, our Health and Safety Training Manager, has transformed operational experience into civilian training excellence.
Serving nine years with the Parachute Regiment, including operational tours in Macedonia, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, and Iraq, before transitioning to 13 years as a Royal Army Physical Training Corps Instructor (RAPTCI), this veteran’s career spanned facilities management, physical training, injury prevention, and soldier rehabilitation across all ranks.
“Leaving the Army was a mix of emotions – pride in my service, but also uncertainty,” he reflects. “There’s a strong identity tied to military life, and stepping out of that world was daunting.” Despite support systems like the Career Transition Partnership, the transition required active networking and careful translation of military skills into civilian terms.
Today, as Health and Safety Training Manager for City and Guilds Training – Intertrain, he delivers and assesses accredited NEBOSH and IOSH qualifications for major clients including Network Rail, National Highways, and Siemens. Leading the health and safety training team, he designs programmes, delivers classroom and practical instruction, and assesses learners to nationally recognised standards.
His military background proves invaluable: “My experience in the Parachute Regiment and RAPTC ingrained a strong safety-first mindset, situational awareness, and methodical approach to risk assessment.” Years of instructing soldiers developed crucial skills – clear communication, adapting content for different learning styles, maintaining high standards, and confidence when delivering to varied audiences.
His advice to fellow veterans is clear: “Veterans need structured, ongoing support – not just a short transition course.” He recommends better civilian translation of military qualifications, mentorship programmes linking veterans with successful transitioners, and encouragement to build new identities outside the forces.
“Use your military network with those who have already transitioned, take pride in your experience, and don’t undersell your value,” he emphasises. “Your skills are unique and needed within the civilian community.”
Industry Leading Training for Veterans
At City & Guilds Training, we understand the value of those unique skills your military career has built, providing not just employment, but career progression opportunities where military experience becomes a cornerstone of civilian success.
As a market-leading provider of in-demand, industry-recognised training solutions, we are committed to raising standards in technical education, empowering individuals to get into the job, progress on the job and onto the next job. That’s why we’ve made supporting ex-service personnel a core part of our mission, supporting you to overcome the challenge of transitioning from military service to civilian employment.
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 team. We specialise in helping you build on these foundations with industry recognised qualifications across rail, electrical, construction and green skills, that employers actively seek.
As a charitable organisation, we’re driven by purpose, not profit. Our commitment to veterans goes beyond training, we’re invested in your long-term success and career progression.
To find out more about our industry-leading training for veterans, contact our team at sales@cityandguilds.ac.uk.
