Edwinstowe charity receives award for its support of the armed forces community

SkillForce, a national education charity operating in more than 200 primary and secondary schools across England, Wales and Scotland, has received a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Certificate for demonstrating its support to military personnel and their families and for pledging that support through the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant.

The organisation attended a presentation dinner at held at Kelham Hall on Wednesday November 18.

Janet Ford, Head of Corporate Partnerships at SkillForce, said: “At SkillForce we employ a number of veterans and service leavers who can use their experience in serving their country to now serve their community.

“Our people bring the values and experience of their military backgrounds to act as role models in the lives of children and young people with whom the charity works in partnership with their schools.”

John Wilson, East Midlands Regional SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers) director, said: “The purpose of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme is to recognise and reward those organisations who show their support towards defence. Each of the employers awarded have HR policies and procedures relating to the support of Armed Forces personnel, they have shown flexibility towards Reservist employees’ training commitments and mobilisation as well as showing support towards those who volunteer as leaders in the Cadet Forces.

“The event at Kelham Hall was a success, with many people enjoying speaking to other employers about their experiences of employing Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and the benefits this can bring to their business.”