Twenty-two employers from all parts of Great Britain receive a gold award in this year’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced today.
The ERS Scheme is designed to thank employers who are supporting Armed Forces personnel and their families.
To qualify for a gold award, employers must not only pledge their support by signing the Armed Forces Covenant but become advocates, encouraging others to do likewise.
This year’s ERS gold award winners have demonstrated their commitment to Defence personnel in more ways than most, including:
- Offering employment opportunities to veterans
- Extra support to help Reservist employees complete their military training
- Ensuring that Service personnel and their families are treated fairly
The ERS gold award winners are public and private organisations, large and small. click on their name to view their pledge.
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Employer |
Sector |
Region |
|
Professional, scientific and technical activities |
National |
|
|
Information and communication |
National |
|
|
Financial and insurance activities |
National |
|
|
Manufacturing |
National |
|
|
Other service activities |
West Midlands |
|
|
Construction |
Wales |
|
|
Local Authority |
Yorkshire & the Humber |
|
|
Local Authority |
Scotland (Highlands) |
|
|
Local Authority |
South East |
|
|
Financial and insurance activities |
National |
|
|
Construction |
National |
|
|
Financial and insurance activities |
Greater London |
|
|
Financial and insurance activities |
National |
|
|
Human health and social work activities |
East Midlands |
|
|
Administrative and support service activities |
National |
|
|
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security |
South East |
|
|
Financial and insurance activities |
National |
|
|
Scottish Ambulance Service |
Human health and social work activities |
Scotland (Lowlands) |
|
Local Authority |
South East |
|
|
Manufacturing |
North of England |
|
|
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities |
National |
|
|
Education |
Wessex |
Congratulating the winners, Mr Fallon said:
“Every year the level of support from companies across Britain for the Armed Forces continues to grow. This commitment is making a real difference to everyone who serves and their families – whether giving Reservists more time to train or supporting veterans or spouses, they embody what the Armed Forces Covenant is about”.
DJ Rees, a small decorating company based in Merthyr Tydfil, has worked with Reservists and the Reserves in Wales for a number of years.
Welcoming the award, Managing Director, Mr David Rees said:
“We were tremendously happy just to be nominated for a gold award, let alone to actually win one. It’s such an achievement, and I’m so happy. This is our 25th year of trading and winning this award has to be one of my proudest moments in business.
“As an employer I believe in supporting the Armed Forces. It’s important to be flexible and understanding with my staff who are committed to their service. It’s a priority to me and will continue to be so in the future.”
Another gold award winner, Kier Group, were instrumental in the development of the pilot for the Armed Forces Employability Pathway (AFEP) that aims to get the long term unemployed into work. Chief Executive, Mr Haydn Mursell, added:
“We are very proud to have been awarded ERS Gold, which really underlines our commitment to working with the Armed Forces. As a national business with close regional links, we’re well-placed to advocate the benefits of Reservists and service leavers – a technically skilled, motivated workforce – around the country, and are keen to maintain our support for Defence personnel and their families.
“Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and by bringing this motivated, driven pool of talent into our business, we all benefit.”
How does an organisation become a ERS gold award holder?
Over 1,000 UK businesses have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, but only a few have received a ERS gold award.
The starting point for any organisation is determining which measures the business can support, and setting these out in an Armed Forces Covenant pledge. Download the pledge template and Information pack.
Organisations consult with us, employees and customers from the Armed Forces community to understand how they benefit from the skills Defence personnel bring into the workplace. Then they set down how they will demonstrate their support and recognition for those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families.
Note: The featured image is Defence secretary Michael Fallon leaving Downing Street after finding out he will keep his job. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
