Gold standard employers launch new group to develop aims of Armed force Covenant and relations between Defence and employers.
A new group of Armed Forces-friendly employers has launched, open to all UK organisations that hold a Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award.
The Alumni Group was suggested by design, engineering and project management consultancy, Atkins, and will collaborate to further develop the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant and tighten the ties between Defence and employers.
Made up of members of a wider community of over 1,300 companies from the private and public sector, the employers have signed the Covenant, and will work to ensure that members and former-members of the Armed forces and their families get fair deals.
The Armed Forces Covenant relies on the support of the wider community to achieve its aims and business is a key part of that.
The Ministry of Defence, including the Defence Relationship Management and Employer Engagement teams, created the group, which will be led and driven by business.
The group will work closely with the MOD to promote the Armed Forces Covenant, champion Armed Forces engagement with employers and provide an informed and influential stakeholder sounding board for new initiatives that build on the good work already achieved.
Taking the role of chairperson of the group is Armed Forces champion, Chris Jones, an RAF reservist. The chairperson role will rotate around member organisations in the future.
Chris explained: “This exciting initiative brings together a network of gold-standard employers that have already delivered over and above their Armed Forces Covenant pledges, and now want to do even more.
“The Alumni Group will provide member organisations with an opportunity to maintain the momentum we’ve all generated in our drive to achieve Gold Award status and to use that energy to support and inspire other like-minded employers to greater achievement as well as experience the benefits of the partnership with Defence.”
Brigadier Mark van der Lande CBE, Head of Reserves, Reserve Forces and Cadets, commented: “We commend this initiative from our Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold award winners – another great example of how employers are putting the Armed Forces Covenant into action to support our Forces. The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award winners have raised the bar for employer support and are well placed to share best practice and inspire other employers to follow their lead and experience the benefits of doing so.”
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Alumni Group Armed Forces Armed Forces Covenant Ministry of Defence old Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Post written by: Abigail Burr
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