Blaenau Gwent Council is delighted to have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for its outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community.
The highest honour in the scheme, the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is awarded to those that employ and support those who serve; veterans and their families.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty said:
鈥淚 would like to thank all the organisations who have proven their support for the Defence community during such unprecedented and challenging times.
鈥淭he vast range of those recognised this year demonstrates how employing the Armed Forces community makes a truly positive and beneficial impact for all employers, regardless of size, sector or location.鈥�
Blaenau Gwent Council鈥檚 Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Brian Thomas says:
鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to be awarded the highest level of recognition in the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, which reinforces our commitment to supporting both the past and current members of the Armed Forces who work for us here in Blaenau Gwent.
鈥淲e are immensely proud of all the members of our Armed Forces for their service to the country, and I鈥檓 pleased that the policies we have in place have been recognised as being supportive and the best they can be. I look forward to receiving the award officially later this year.鈥�
To win the award, organisations must provide 10 extra paid days leave for Reservists and have supportive policies in place for Veterans, Reserves, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
Organisations must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
The Award also reflects the Council鈥檚 wider commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community in Blaenau Gwent, including providing training to over 200 frontline staff about supporting the needs of the current and former service members and their families, and revising our housing policy to ensure that service leavers and their partners are not disadvantaged when applying for housing when they return to civilian life in Blaenau Gwent.
The Award will be officially presented at a ceremony in Cardiff in November.
Notes to Editors:
鈥⒙燭he Employer Recognition Scheme was launched in 2014 by the then Prime Minister David Cameron to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant and the full spectrum of Defence personnel. This includes the Reserves, service leavers, cadets, spouses and wounded, injured and sick.
鈥⒙燭he full list of Employer Recognition Scheme Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners is available here.
鈥⒙燭he Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. More information about the Armed Forces Covenant and how to get involved is available here.