Type=image;ImageID=13770;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Signing the Covenant;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=13771;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=At 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment's headquarters in Fallings Park;TitleClass=strong;
Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Elias Mattu, and Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, and Lieutenant Colonel Lee Mulholland, Commanding Officer of 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment, put pen to paper at the Battalion's regional headquarters in Fallings Park, Wolverhampton.
It was the final event of Wolverhampton Business Week and businesses and partner organisations attending discovered how they can play a part in supporting the Armed Forces, and the benefits it can bring.
In 2012 the City of Wolverhampton signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant - a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community.
It focuses on a moral obligation of society towards members of the armed forces community and provides a mechanism for local authorities and communities to express support for them.
Today by signing the Armed Forces Covenant the Council are further affirming their commitment to the Armed Forces and the ways in which they can provide that support. The Covenant pledges that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.
Councillor Reynolds, said: "Many people in Wolverhampton already show their support for the Armed Forces community and 2017 has been a very busy and productive year for Armed Forces Community Covenant activities in the city.
"Working together in partnership we have achieved a great deal, including lots of good work around skills and employment, and as a council we want to build on that through the Corporate Covenant and show support in events such as this year's well attended Armed Forces Day in the Mander Centre."
Lieutenant Colonel Lee Mulholland, added: "The signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by the Mayor of Wolverhampton recognises the great value the council, public bodies and key regional employers place in our Armed Forces and reinforces the excellent relationships we have built on over several years for the benefit of our serving members, their families and our proud veterans."
Since the council signed the Community Covenant it has been proactive in promoting Armed Forces events on social media and staged a week of action to support Armed Forces Day in June 2017.
It has also excelled in work around employment - being awarded The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
This work includes establishing a work experience scheme for veterans within the council and a successful pilot project for young people wishing to join the armed forces who might not meet the initial criteria, as well as working with military partners to provide recruitment opportunities at jobs fairs.
If your organisation would like to find out more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme or how the Armed Forces Covenant could benefit your business please contact Siamha Butt, Regional Employer Engagement Director at the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association on wm-reed@rfca.mod.uk or 0121 427 5221 ext. 242.
- released: Friday 29 September, 2017