Employment minister supports Aldershot Armed Forces jobs fair
'We must do everything we can to support them back into work following their dedicated service to keeping us safe.'
Leo Docherty MP, minister for defence people and veterans, and Mims Davies MP, minister for employment, on a visit to Aldershot
Submitted by the Department of Work and Pensions
The minister for employment has visited Aldershot in Rushmoor, Hampshire to support the town's first Armed Forces jobs fair.
Minister for employment Mims Davies MP joined hundreds of military personnel, including veterans at Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre for the town’s first Armed Forces Community jobs fair.
During her visit to Aldershot, the minister saw first-hand how the jobs fair provided a great opportunity for members of the military to meet with over 60 employers showcasing live vacancies, including Surrey and Sussex Police, Unilever and Serco. The minister was joined by Leo Docherty, the MP for Aldershot and minister for defence people and veterans and four armed force champions.
Mims Davies MP said: “Military personal, whether in service or a veteran, offer a range of transferable skills which employers are keen to tap into to fill their vacancies. We must do everything we can to support them back into work following their dedicated service to keeping us safe.
“It was fantastic to see so many brilliant companies exhibiting a host of exciting opportunities in Aldershot at the careers fair, providing those looking for a new opportunity a chance to see the wide range of what’s available.
“We’re delivering for jobseekers across the UK and with the help of our Armed Forces champions, jobseekers will receive the right kind of support as they start a new chapter."
The minister’s visit follows a new UK Government pledge to move half a million people into jobs by the end of June as part of the ambitious Way to Work campaign. Way to Work will support people into work faster, filling the 1.2 million vacancies, with more time spent face to face with a work coach to receive better, tailored support.
Leo Docherty MP, minister for defence people and veterans, said: "Our military personnel and veterans make a massive contribution to society – their collaborative and determined approach, as well as key transferable skills, make them brilliant members of the civilian workforce.
"Military service gives you skills for life and I was delighted to speak with employers, service personnel and veterans at BFRS’s Armed Forces Community jobs fair in my constituency, Aldershot, to see the amazing opportunities open to our service personnel and veterans."
The event was organised by the British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS), who provide a range of support to the Armed Forces Community, specifically those in the process of transitioning from military to civilian life.
In June 2021, the Department for Work and Pensions announced it would be bolstering its dedicated network of Armed Force Champions who are stationed in every Jobcentre Plus district across Great Britain.
Armed Force Champions offer specialist help to support former service personnel and their families access benefits and get back into work after service.
As part of her visit to Hampshire, the Minister also took the opportunity to visit Aldershot Jobcentre to thank them in person for their sustained hard work to deliver the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs which is focused on protecting, supporting and creating jobs across the country.
Get all the latest news, updates, things to do and more from your local InYourArea feed.
