TEC Partnership signs Armed Forces Covenant 

The TEC Partnership has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, reaffirming its commitment to the Armed Forces community. 

The Covenant is a voluntary pledge to support the welfare, employment and education of the Armed Forces community and their families, and solidifies the support offered by the TEC Partnership and its associated colleges and training centres. 

Ann Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, TEC Partnership, signed the Covenant on behalf of the group on Friday 1^st March.

By signing the pledge, the TEC Partnership joins more than 11,000 organisations across a broad range of sectors, each setting out their support to members of the Armed Forces community and recognising the value contributed to our community by serving personnel, service leavers, veterans, and their families. 

The TEC Partnership will seek to uphold the principles of the Covenant by promoting the fact that it is an Armed Forces-friendly organisation, to staff, students, employer contacts and communities. Upholding a particular focus on career transition and employment pathways for service leavers, the Partnership will also focus on pledges tailored to the organisation. These are:

• Supporting the employment of veterans and Service families, recognising military skills in recruitment and selection process, and supporting the employment of Service leavers by working closely with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
• Supporting employees who are members of the Reserve Forces and actively encouraging members of staff to become Reservists.
• Supporting employees who are volunteer leaders in military cadet organisations.
• Continuing to promote and support national events and initiatives including Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance activities.
• Supporting Armed Forces charities and encouraging volunteering efforts from employees
• Offering discounted rates to members of the Armed Forces community

The TEC Partnership has been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze award in recognition of its commitment and is now working towards Silver award selection. The ERS rewards organisations that advocate, demonstrate or pledge support to defence and the Armed Forces community.

Discussing the TEC Partnership’s commitment, Ann Hardy emphasised the widespread impact of the Armed Forces community. She said: “We are proud to have signed the British Armed Forces Covenant and pledge to uphold its key principles. We recognise the value offered by those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, within our organisation, local communities, and to the whole country.

“Many of the TEC Partnership’s employees have associations with the Armed Forces, and for the organisation to formally recognise their tremendous contribution is a hugely important, and necessary, action.”

For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant, including guidance and support, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-covenant-supporting-information

Ann Hardy, CEO, TEC Partnership (Front); with Adrian Clarke, Group Vice Principal Corporate Services; Jody Richmond, Group Vice Principal People and Culture; and Nathan Michael, Group Vice Principal for Curriculum Quality and Standards.

TEC Partnership is comprised of the following:

The Academy Grimsby, East Riding College, The Grimsby Institute, MODAL, Scarborough TEC, Skegness TEC, University Centre Grimsby, Career 6.