A Barrow defence company is committed to supporting the UK's Armed Forces and ex service people, through fundraising, sponsorship and career opportunities.
BAE Systems Submarines hosts Proud to Support Week in the run up to today's Armed Forces Day. The Barrow shipyard focuses on the connections its employees share with the military, from being reservists, veterans, service families and cadets, and recognises the sacrifices they have made.
But throughout the year the company is engaged with events and initiatives to raise money for the forces, promoting new careers for those leaving the services and supporting employees who are reserves or cadets.
BAE Systems is one of the founder signatories to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, a key government pledge to ensure that Armed Forces personnel are not disadvantaged by their service. The company recently strengthened its commitment further as an Armed Forces friendly organisation.
BAE also hosts reserves recruiting teams, supports spouses and partners of service personnel and encourages employees to volunteer and raise funds for forces charities. Each year, the company as a whole gives more than £4m in donations and sponsorships to forces charities, events and heritage activities.
BAE Systems Submarines has brought together a group of people from across the business who have, or feel, a connection to the forces. The group helps the company understand what additional support it can provide.
In May BAE Systems Submarines was a main sponsor of the Walking with the Wounded Cumbria Challenge 2016. Five senior managers (pictured) took on the challenge in the fells and raised £1,500 to support wounded veteran back into work by retraining and re-skilling them and helping them find new careers.
Mr Lofthouse served in the Royal Navy for 35 and a half years. He was a submarine engineer and a captain.
He said the transition challenge is there for people leaving the military, with some ex service people not being aware they have the skills the engineering industry is looking for. The group is looking at ways to help people translate their skills onto a CV.
Mr Lofthouse said the company is proud to have a community links to the forces. He said: "The company is coming together to strengthen the covenant, to make sure we do our part and be proud to support.
"We are making it real and tangible."
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