Bangor University has joined a network of 418 Welsh employers to pledge support to the Armed Forces community.

Professor Iwan Davies, President and Vice Chancellor of Bangor University signed the Armed Forces Covenant with Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams OBE, on February 9.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the UK Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The programme in Wales is delivered by the RFCA for Wales Regional Employer Engagement Directors on behalf of Defence. A total of 418 Welsh organisations and employers have already signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

“We are delighted that Bangor University has shown its support to the Armed Forces community. The number of organisations signing the covenant is continuing to grow at an encouraging rate”, said Mr Tony Fish, Regional Employer Engagement Director (North) at the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.

Bangor University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iwan Davies, said,

“We are delighted to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant which signals our commitment as part of the higher education sector to ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.”

Air Commodore Williams said,

“As a member of the Bangor University alumni community, it’s been very special for me to return here today to see the institution sign the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces have had several links with Bangor University over many years and these relationships continue today, especially with the many students who are part of Armed Forces University Cadets.  The signing of the Covenant formally recognises these close ties and also signifies that we will continue to work closely together in the future.

There are more than 2,170 reservists in Wales. They are ordinary people who come from diverse backgrounds and give up their spare time to train and serve alongside regular personnel in the Armed Forces.

Reservists work for employers of all sizes, and their minimal annual requirement is just under 30 days. In return, reservists receive world-class training to develop new skills and qualifications to boost their civilian lives, as well as pay and expenses.

 

RFCA for Wales’ Employer Engagement team offer assistance and advice to organisations, companies, Reservists and Cadet Volunteers relating to Defence people-related employment matters.

They work with the MoD’s Defence Relationship Management (DRM) organisation to establish open and strategic relationships with employers, tailoring partnering opportunities to mutual needs and business goals.