By Isle of Wight ObserverA highly successful event has taken place aimed at encouraging organisations and businesses to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Armed Forces Covenant aims to help members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen.
Jointly hosted by the Isle of Wight Council and the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (SERFCA), the ‘Benefits of Partnering with Defence’ event at BAE Systems, Cowes, saw a number of Island based organisations from the private and public sectors briefed about the benefits of partnering with Defence, the Armed Forces’ Covenant and the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Cabinet Member, Councillor Ian Ward, whose portfolio includes the Armed Forces Covenant, said: “I would urge businesses and organisations to sign up to supporting the Covenant, as the council already has done. Over 2,000 organisations nationally have signed up to this vitally important scheme.
“It was a very enjoyable and well attended event and I thank our partners SERFCA for hosting it with us. Our Armed Forces support us day, day out and this is a way of making sure that in return, we can give them support back when they need it.”
Colonel Patrick Crowley, Chief Executive of SERFCA added: “It was great to see so many organisations here and for employers to get to know both their local Reserve Unit (Isle of Wight Troop, 266 (Southampton) Port Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps) and local cadet units.”
The event, kindly hosted by BAE Systems, was supported by the Royal Navy Presentation Team, 11th Infantry Brigade & Headquarters South East, the Royal Air Force and by both 266 (Southampton) Port Squadron and the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. The Combined Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps were all represented at the event.
For more information on how to partner with defence, the Armed Forces’ Covenant and how to join the Employer Recognition Scheme, please click here.
