A PIONEERING ARMED FORCES BUSINESS ACADEMY

AFBA is a pioneering new £250,000 scheme between Community & Business Partners, Patch and Burnley Football Club in the Community, to provide those who have served in our Armed Forces with meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunity

The Armed Forces Business Academy is the first of it’s kind in the UK.

PatchApp.uk

Patch is a tech company, which provides instant-book home maintenance services. Run by proven Entrepreneurs, it Initially offers window cleaning but will soon include lawn mowing, gutter cleaning, jet washing and car valeting. They actively employ from the ex-Forces community. Their Founders have a passion for supporting those leaving the Forces. 

Community & Business Partners

CBP have been providing Business Support for over thirty years. Their specialists, who include Coaches, Mentors and Consultants, are proven business people who’ve been there and done it, so they’re perfectly placed to help people set up a new business.  We want to equip those who’ve served in the Forces will all the tools they need to be able to run their own business.

Burnley Football In the Community

BFC in the Community support Veterans in the community, through a range of activities and help to identify people who may be suitable for the pilot.

THE SCHEME

Meaningful Employment – Those who are successful will be given full time employment for 12 months with Patch, carrying out outdoor home maintenance for their clients. 

Entrepreneurial Opportunity – At the same time as being employed, you’ll take part in a 24 months programme with the Armed Forces Business Academy which is run by CBP, to get you ready to run your own business. From the basics of setting up, to accounting, and Health and Safety as well as your own independent Business Mentor.

The Armed Forces Business Academy is fully funded so you’ll learn all of this for free, whilst in meaningful employment

Run your own business – At the end of the 12 months employment with Patch, you’ll then take on that “patch” you’ve been working, as a Franchisee. You’ll be supported by the Armed Forces Business Academy for a further 12 months, until you’ve been up and running in your own business for a year.

You’ll have the opportunity to expand this as far as you like, by taking other “Patches” or by offering additional services.

HOW TO APPLY

To be eligible, you just have to have served in the Forces at some point, or planning to leave soon, click here to send an email to afba@patchapp.uk to find out more

OUR HONORARY PRESIDENT

Our Honorary President is Sqdn. Leader Robert Ellis RAF (Retd), who after leaving the RAF entered the world of business. He’s also the Grandfather of Patch Founder and CEO, Paul White. As well as the RAF and running his own businesses, he has committed a large amount of his life to the service of Veterans, through working for the Royal British Legion and as his local branch President, Poppy Appeal Organiser and Parade Marshall. It’s his Grandfather’s service to Veterans that inspired Paul’s idea for the Armed Forces Business Academy.