MORE than 12 companies – including six from York – have signed up for this month’s Exercise Executive Stretch which puts bosses through their paces so they can benefit from the training given to Army reservists.
More than 60 Yorkshire employers will attend an army reservist event in York from 11-13 June to take part in the army’s special approach to leadership and team building. It is organised by The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and The Humber and the North of England, known as SaBRE, as part of its work with companies that employ reservists.
The event has activities that promote leadership and team-working, enhance self-confidence, and show how they can be adopted by businesses as part of their management culture. Attendees will inlcude Portakabin, Reliance Precision, David Young Community Academy and Yorkshire Bank, Leeds.
SaBRE provides support and advice to 3,200 people who combine full-time work with serving as Army reservists, and works closely with employers to help them gain a range of help and funding when their staff and in active service.
Regional SaBRE campaign director, Richard Lenton, says: “Reservists are becoming a higher proportion of our armed forces as we move to our 2020 goal of 30,000 and the regular army is reduced in size. Also, by show casing the development skills the Army offers, Executive Stretch also enables companies to understand the training and abilities given to the reservists they may employ and how this may benefit their company.
“York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has actively supported and promoted the value which reservists and service leavers can bring to the business sector and our own chamber membership has given us a valuable opportunity to engage with business people at the right level.
Head of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Susie Cawood, says: “York has had a long and fruitful relationship with the Army going back to Roman times. Businesses which employ reservists are making a valuable commitment to the country’s security. The MOD has a great deal to offer local businesses in return in terms of staff development and we’re really pleased to support them.”
Places are still available – contact SaBRE direct or York Chamber.
