ON Thursday 24 June, Watford manager Malky Mackay attended the opening of the new Army Careers Information Office (ACIO) in Watford to show his and the Club's support for the new centre.
Watford FC held a Help for Heroes day at Vicarage Road in March and raised around £2,000 for the cause, which was the Football League's official charity last season.
The new office will allow those with an interest in Army Careers the chance to find out more.
The official opening was conducted by the Elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill who said: "It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Army to Watford.
"I am sure that the new office will be a great success and valuable resource for young people looking at their career options."
As part of the official opening new recruit Danny Holliman took his Oath of Allegiance to the Queen. This is the formal enlistment procedure all new recruits undergo prior to becoming a soldier and signifies their intent and commitment to the Armed Forces.
The Army Careers team will continue to work closely with Youth Connexions and Job Centre Plus, offering help and practical advice to young people wanting to know more about the 140 plus career opportunities available in the Army.
For the last year, the Army has run twice weekly clinics from Watford's Youth Connexions One Stop Shop.
The local Army recruitment team will also be working with the local schools and colleges in Watford and the surrounding areas to raise awareness of the financial support the Army can offer to those wanting to continue with college or university education, before joining.
As serving soldiers, the Army's recruitment team can provide real insight into the careers, qualifications and on the job training on offer and answer practical questions from both young people and their parents about what joining the Army is really like.
With an all new fresh and contemporary appearance, the new recruiting office at 53a Queen's Road is designed as a pop-in centre for careers advice and information reaching out to local youngsters with a dynamic and youth orientated feel.
Running the office will be Staff Sergeant Dave Gair, who has served in the Army for 25 years. He was a Forward Observer with the Royal Artillery and has worked in recruiting for the past seven years.
Sgt Gair commented: "Opening this new office will make us more accessible so people can find out more about the Army.
"Now people can come in on their lunch break to see if it's right for them, with no obligation."
Sgt Gair and the rest of the Army recruiting team will be at Watford's recruitment office from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and on the first Saturday of each month between 10.00am and 2.00pm.
From a career as an Administrator to a Vehicle Mechanic, a career in the Army offers a competitive salary, the chance for travel and adventure, and the opportunity to develop new qualifications.
For more information on the 140 different career options available through the Regular or Territorial Army call the Watford Army Careers Information Office on 01923 801619 or visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk
To find out the address and opening times of the Watford Youth Connexions One Stop Shop visit the website at www.youthconnexions-hertfordshire.org
