Event will promote military skills to employers

South Kesteven District Council employs former member of the armed services

An event demonstrating the value of military skills in the workplace is to be held as part of Armed Forces Week.

Mission Business will offer presentations and talks to companies and organisations from across Lincolnshire, encouraging them to hire veterans.

The event will be held at the Officer's Mess at the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham on 25 June.

Bridget Ley, South Kesteven District Council's armed forces champion, said it would be a "golden opportunity" to combine support for businesses and ex-military personnel across the county.

The event is being run by the district council, the Ministry of Defence and the Business Unfinished consultancy.

The council, which holds a gold award under the MoD's defence employer recognition scheme, employs former military personnel as bin collectors and in grounds maintenance.

'A good work ethic'

At the event, veterans who run their own businesses will be sharing their journeys from deployment to employment.

Serving members of the military will be at the event, giving talks about how their skills can benefit organisations when they end their service.

Those attending will hear how hiring military reservists can unlock training benefits worth up to £10,000 for employers.

The Greater Lincolnshire Defence and Security Cluster (GLRDSC) will explain how businesses can access defence budgets so they can secure defence contracts.

Julian Free served in the Army for 30 years before joining the University of Lincoln, where he is now deputy vice chancellor (regional engagement) and chair of the GLRDSC.

Mr Free, who finished his service at the rank of major general, described members of the forces as "technical, skilled people" with a "good work ethic".

He added that they were "quite a rich source of well-qualified people to take into businesses".

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