Awards for Armed Forces support
Wolverhampton Council and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce have received awards through the Employer Recognition Scheme for the work they have done in supporting members of the Armed Forces community.
The council is just one of a handful of local authorities nationwide to receive the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award – the highest recognition for employer support to the Armed Forces.
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce received the silver award, due to the involvement is has in the Armed Forces Dependants’ Business Start-Up Programme ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’. This is a 10-month business start-up programme open to the dependants of veterans, reservists and serving Armed Forces personnel, at no cost, and has already been attended by more than 652 Service spouses and dependants from across the UK and Cyprus.
The Cchamber also achieved the recognition as they are a forces friendly employer, involvement in MoD research and are holding a regular events calendar to support the Armed Forces in the local community.
Corin Crane, chamber chief executive, said: “We are delighted to receive the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, highlighting our commitment to Armed Forces personnel and their families. Our colleague, Sarah Walker, has done an exceptional job of raising the profile and supporting the Armed Forces on behalf of the Black Country Chamber. The support for the Armed Forces by businesses from across the Black Country is growing, with many members signing the corporate cCovenant. We aim to extend this further moving forward and are looking for more local businesses to get involved. The chamber is offering free support to any business that is looking to get involved.”
The council and chamber are trying to raise the profile of the recognition scheme and the benefits of supporting the Armed Forces. They are holding an event on September 19 to highlight how you can get involved and find out more information about the benefits from the employers that have taken part.
For more information or to book a place visit https://www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/bcc-events/business-briefing/afternoon-tea-and-chat-about-the-armed-forces-employer-recognition-scheme or call 01902 912316.
