The University of Lancashire has partnered with ten of the region’s further education colleges and sixth forms* to collectively demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces community.
Along with The Lancashire Colleges, the University signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a public commitment to ensure that military veterans and their families are treated fairly and given the same opportunities as their civilian counterparts.
By pledging their support, the organisations are acknowledging the impact of service life such as frequent house moves, family separation and a lack of continuity in education provision and promising to help break down barriers.
As an institution that values making education accessible to everyone no matter what their background is, ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community don’t face barriers to higher education is paramount.– University of Lancashire Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin DL
University of Lancashire Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin DL and Wes Johnson DL, Chair of The Lancashire Colleges, signed the Covenant.
Professor Baldwin said: “We are proud to re-sign this very important pledge following our recent name change. As an institution that values making education accessible to everyone, whatever their background, providing opportunities for the Armed Forces community and breaking down barriers is essential.
“Through our College for Military Veterans and Emergency Services (CMVES), we not only provide additional support for veterans and their families to access courses through funding opportunities and flexible routes back into education, we also work with the community to influence positive policy changes through our research.”
I am proud to represent further education in Lancashire as we collectively sign the Armed Forces Covenant and commit to playing a full role in supporting learners from the Armed Forces Community.– Wes Johnson DL, Chair of The Lancashire Colleges
“It is clear that learners from the Armed Forces community are hidden and we need to do more to encourage people to enter into further and higher education,” said Wes Johnson.
“I am proud to represent further education in Lancashire as we collectively sign the Armed Forces Covenant and commit to playing a full role in supporting learners from the Armed Forces Community.”
During the signing ceremony, The Director of CMVES, Becky Steel, and Deborah Collier, an Army veteran and now Managing Director of Careers Ideas Ltd, gave an insight into their Achieve Your Potential project, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
This project is the first of its kind and explores the challenges service children and young people face to accessing FE. It focuses specifically on Lancashire and will publish its findings in December 2026.
Becky commented: “Around 60 percent of schools in Lancashire teach service children, yet there is no routine monitoring of them as they enter further education so their needs are often missed when moving through the system.
Around 60 percent of schools in Lancashire teach service children, yet there is no routine monitoring of them as they enter further education so their needs are often missed when moving through the system.– The Director of CMVES, Becky Steel
“Service children often consider family mobility when making decisions about post-16 and post-18 education, requiring additional guidance and support, and often those with special educational needs and disabilities are unidentified.
“The University of Lancashire hosts the North West Service Children’s Progression Alliance Hub with a membership of over 500 organisations across the region. The research from projects such as Achieve Your Potential is vitally important to developing evidence based practice, ensuring the learning needs of the Armed Forces community are understood and placed at the heart of education provision and policy.”
Lt Antonio Valente, Naval Regional Engagement Officer for the North West, took part in the Covenant signing event. He added: “This public commitment is a powerful demonstration of support for our Service personnel, veterans, and their families, and it reinforces the strong bond between the military and our community.
"I was particularly inspired by the speakers at today’s signing event at the University of Lancashire – especially the initiatives they presented to support our service children. Hearing about these efforts was truly heartening and showcases the collective dedication to supporting our military families.
This public commitment is a powerful demonstration of support for our Service personnel, veterans, and their families, and it reinforces the strong bond between the military and our community.– Lt Antonio Valente, Naval Regional Engagement Officer for the North West
“On behalf of the Royal Navy, I want to thank every organisation that has made this pledge; their support means a great deal and will make a real difference for our Armed Forces community.”
The University of Lancashire has a long history of supporting the Armed Forces Community. In addition to being home to the CMVES, it hosts the Service Children’s Progression Alliance Lancashire and the North West Hub and is a Gold Standard Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award.
* The colleges that signed the Covenant via The Lancashire Colleges are Blackburn College, Blackpool and the Fylde College, Blackpool Sixth Form College, Burnley College, East Lancashire Learning Group, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Myerscough College, Preston College, Runshaw College and West Lancashire College.
