In July 2014, Grant Shapps MP launched the Welwyn Hatfield Military Corporate Covenant. Since 2011, when the idea arose, it has been widely linked to big businesses, not being easy for small businesses to benefit. Grant saw that this was an issue and took the matter into his own hands to help small, local businesses be a part of this Covenant. Grant is the first person in the UK, with the help of seasoned Covenant beneficiaries Barclays, to launch a local Corporate Covenant, a big achievement for Welwyn Hatfield.
The Covenant is a great way for ex-servicemen and women, as well as reservists, to find work as it encourages companies to utilise the immense levels of talent that these workers have while recognising the work done by the Armed Forces. Grant has signed up to the Military Covenant as a member of his team is an Army Reservist who has served on multiple operations, including some in Afghanistan. In addition to Grant, 7 other local companies have signed up to the Military Covenant.
Local businesses have clearly shown their support for this as Emil Sohrab, Managing Director at James Taylor Construction said: ‘We are delighted to show our support to our armed forces and look forward to having some of these brave men and women amongst us as a result of this covenant.’
Lately, Grant has been trying to get more businesses to co-sign with him to show their support to the Covenant. Grant is also trying to encourage businesses to hire people from a military background as the skills they bring back from the Armed Forces cannot be replicated.
Grant said that: ‘Seeing so many Welwyn Hatfield Companies and charities signing the Military Covenant is so pleasing. It’s such a fantastic enterprise that I am proud to be a part of alongside so many other local organisations.’
The number of businesses signing is gradually increasing and Grant is hoping that it keeps increasing so that more businesses realise the benefits of hiring people who have worked in the Armed Forces.
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