The company behind a world class manufacturing base in Wigan has pledged its support to the Armed Forces community.
Nice-Pak International met with Wigan Council’s Armed Forces keyworkers and Deputy Leader, Councillor David Molyneux, to sign the local Armed Forces Covenant, promising to provide equal employment opportunities for veterans enabling them to support their families.
(Pictured, left to right: Deputy Leader of Wigan Council, Cllr David Molyneux; Major Anthony Turner; Mike Staton; and, Jeff Booth (manufacturing director at Nice Pak and ex-serviceman)
The Armed Forces Covenant is a national pledge to help those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families receive the same opportunities and respect in their communities as others by providing housing advice, access to healthcare, employment opportunities and more.
Wigan Council is dedicated to encouraging local businesses to sign the covenant, so the local Armed Forces community can access the support and advice they need.
Councillor David Molyneux, Deputy Leader at Wigan Council, said: “There’s a huge Armed Forces community in Wigan Borough and it is only right that these residents and their families are open to the same opportunities as others. It is also imperative that local businesses are aware of the potential flexibility needed for a veteran to take on a new career and by signing the Covenant and supporting the national pledge we can show our local veterans that their borough respects and thanks them for their sacrifices and bravery.
“Nice-Pak is the latest local company to sign the Covenant and we look forward to working with them to ensure there are even more opportunities available.”
Nice-Pak International is one of the world’s leading wet wipes manufacturers and has started production at its new site based in Westwood Park, Wigan, creating new job opportunities for the borough.
Michael Staton, Nice-Pak CEO, said: “By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we promise to give all veterans a fighting chance of securing employment by recognising their potential and treating them equally and with the respect they deserve.
“We also want to show support by accommodating, wherever possible, the training needs of current employees who may choose to be members of the Reserve forces and by throwing our company’s weight behind annual community efforts to celebrate Armed Forces Day.”
A number of local businesses in Wigan Borough have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, including Wigan Warriors, Wigan Athletic, Leigh Centurions, Companion Dogs UK, Wigan and Leigh College and more.
For more information about the Armed Forces Covenant visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk
