Burnley College was proud to host another successful Armed Forces Community Event, bringing together ex‑military personnel, reservists, and learners from service families for lunch. A community that’s evolving into a supportive, cross‑college network where meaningful conversations, shared experiences and lasting connections are built.
We were delighted to welcome our Principal, Jason Faulkner, also a veteran, who joined attendees to show support and celebrate the unique community taking shape. Reflecting on the lifelong connection shared within the Armed Forces, our Principal said:
“The sense of belonging in the military is something you never lose. You always have that camaraderie, whether you left one year, two years or 20 years ago. When you meet up with like-minded people who have been through those experiences and environments, it’s like you never left.”
“That’s one of the rare things you get as being part of the military and the Armed Forces — that camaraderie never leaves you, and it doesn’t matter what regiment you’re from, you’ve still got that teamwork and that mindset.”
Public Services student, Erin Keogh, reinforces why this initiative is so important:
“You get to know that there’s a community around you that you can go to if you need help, as you can feel quite isolated sometimes, especially as a service child.”
Our Commitment Through the Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a national commitment to acknowledge and support serving personnel, veterans and their families. It recognises the sacrifices made by service members and encourages employers to value veterans’ transferable skills, invest in veteran recruitment programmes and support smooth transitions into civilian careers.
In 2025, Burnley College was honoured to receive the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, highlighting our dedication to the Armed Forces community and our ongoing promise to champion those connected to service life.
Support for Veterans at Burnley College
If you are a veteran considering your next steps, Burnley College proudly offers individualised advice, guidance and tailored support to help you step back into education with confidence. Whether you’re retraining, developing new skills or exploring a new career direction, we’re here to support your journey.
Learn more at https://www.burnley.ac.uk/adult-home/elcas-approved-courses/
