First ever business expo showcases value of employing Armed Forces community

Monday, January 27, 2025

Wakefield Council and local businesses are continuing to show their support for the Armed Forces community.

The district’s first Military and Business Expo was held in Wakefield Town Hall. Employers gathered to find out more about the transferable skills gained during military service and the value of employing people with that experience.

Cllr Josie Pritchard, Wakefield Council’s Armed Forces Champion, hosted the event and said: “It’s incredibly important to us to support our Armed Forces community after all the sacrifices they have made.

“Events like today bring together the local business community and the Armed Forces community as a partnership. It has helped businesses better understand what they can do to help support these individuals and in return what they can offer an employer.”

The event highlighted the Armed Forces Covenant and the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, which support the Armed Forces community by linking military and civilian employment. 

Speakers at the event included Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Ed Anderson CBE, Yvette Cooper MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Simon Lightwood MP for Wakefield and Rothwell and Ellie Valentine from the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust.

Yvette Cooper MP said: "This is a really important way for local employers to support our armed forces who do so much to keep our country safe and also to benefit from the immense skills and training that our armed forces bring. The Armed Forces Covenant is really important, and it was great to see Wakefield Council and so many local employers taking it so seriously. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who serve our country, and I would encourage more local employers to sign up."

Simon Lightwood MP said "Thank you to Cllr Josie Pritchard, Wakefield Council, and We are Wakefield for organising this important event. 

"Here in Wakefield, we deeply value our armed forces community and veterans and recognise their significant contributions to our workforce. 

"This event exemplifies the strong relationships between our local business community and the armed forces."

The Military and Business Expo was organised by Wakefield Council in partnership with We are Wakefield and the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA).

Wakefield Council is proud to have been a member of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) since 2011. This encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same.

Employers interested in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme should contact the Employer Engagement Team for more information at yh-epsp@rfca.mod.uk

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