Preston College
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Preston College will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Preston College recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
We also pledge the following:

For Service Personnel, Veterans and Service Leavers Fair access to employment opportunities for suitable qualified Service Leavers for jobs in Prestons College The College guarantees to interview service personnel, veterans and service leavers whose application meets the minimum requirements in all the essential criteria for the post Aligned and accessible education provision for serving personnel; and for service leavers and their families a wider curriculum offer such as accountancy provision and higher skills apprenticeships for next career steps Discounted membership of the College gym and sports court bookings on production of relevant identification, which may be extended to family members with relevant identification Discounted ticket prices for performing arts events held in the College Theatre, on production of relevant identification. This may be extended to family with relevant verification Discounted barbering/hairdressing and beauty treatments offered at the College commercial salon, Revive on production of relevant identification. This may be extended to family with relevant verification Prestons College is committed to maintaining the highest standards of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The College is home to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds with diverse values and abilities For the Community Joint campaigns of armed forces employment and training opportunities in schools and communities, where appropriate, and in line with College activities and requirements. Jointly promoting training and career opportunities to cadets, particularly STEM, public services, health and social care subjects For Students and Staff Will develop the opportunity to explore the different roles and career streams that are available in the army for example in Engineering, Public Services, Administration, IT, Hospitality and Health and Social Care. Recognition and promotion of the shared principles of inclusivity and respect through citizenship, NEETS and employability programmes Supportive of reserve services for employees, including allowing time away for training when compatible with their job as per the College Special Leave Procedure under Reservists Recognition of skills developed as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers supporting shared values of community service Promotion of military teamwork, leadership and life skills through student events and workshops Actively promoting reserve service for students on relevant courses such as Public Services, Hospitality and Sports with a view to expanding to other courses such as Engineering provision, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic and computer science including: Value of training to enhance professional effectiveness Financial support to improve student retention Part time and full time employment justifying their commitment to the course

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.