Black Country Chamber of Commerce has been awarded with the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award. This follows on from their commitment made to the Armed Forces in May 2016 when the Chamber signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant. The ERS recognises commitment and support from UK employers for defence personnel. The scheme comprises bronze, silver and gold awards for employers who support those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families.

The Black Country Chamber were recognised due to the involvement they have in the Armed Forces Dependants’ Business Start-Up Programme ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’. This is a 10-month business start-up programme open to the dependants of Veterans, Reservists and serving Armed Forces personnel, at no cost, and has already been attended by more than 380 Service spouses and dependants from across the UK and Cyprus.  They have supported over 380 dependants to date and a further 360 until 2018.

Adrian Wright, President of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted to receive the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award. This highlights our commitment to Armed Forces Personnel and their families. The support for the Armed forces by businesses in the Black Country is growing, with many members signing the Corporate Covenant. We aim to extend this further moving forward and are looking for more local businesses to get involved.”

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce aims to raise the awareness of the skills and employability of our Armed Forces Community and to transition them into employment, business and our community within the Black Country. They have formed a discussion group which will help the Chamber to achieve this aim.