Top employers that support the Armed Forces community in Scotland are to receive prestigious awards from the Ministry of Defence.
Eight armed-forces friendly organisations will receive an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver award at an official awards ceremony in Edinburgh Castle on Thursday evening:
- Bright Purple Resourcing
- Highlander Outdoor
- Lothian
- Midlothian Council
- RB Safety Consultants
- Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce
- Scottish Chambers of Commerce
- Scottish Rugby Union
Now in its fifth year the ERS Silver awards reward employers which employ and support those who serve, veterans, and their families – typically by putting in place initiatives that make it easier to employ veterans, helping ex-forces personnel to transition into a civilian career or supporting Armed Forces Reservists to train and mobilise on active service. All ERS Silver award winners are vocal supporters of the Armed Forces community in Scotland.
Commenting on the announcement of the 2018 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver awards, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans, Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP said: “I am delighted to congratulate the recipients of this year’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver awards. A Silver award recognises the fantastic efforts of employers throughout the UK who have both elevated their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and provided actual benefit to the Armed Forces Community.
“The winners should all be proud of the life-changing impact and fresh opportunities they are providing to our Reservists, veterans, wounded injured and sick and their families. We’ve seen a record number of winners this year, which shows that the Armed Forces family talent pool is also providing tangible business benefit.”
Lothian’s Managing Director, Richard Hall, said: “We are delighted to have achieved and be awarded the Silver level of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We are very proud to have many employees across our business units who currently serve in the reserves or are ex-armed forces personnel and have recently taken steps to introduce detailed and robust policies and procedures that offer support to these employees, including the introduction of our Reservist policy earlier this year.
“We look forward to further developing and continuing our partnership with the Armed Forces community, while building on our commitment to them and what they deliver for our country.”
Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Liz Cameron, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be the recipient of the ERS Silver award. Strong links between the business community and the Reserve Forces are an essential component of UK Defence and the security that underpins sustainable economic growth.
“More than 4,600 individuals give up their time to as Reservists in Scotland. As this number continues to grow it is vital that employers understand the transferable skills, professionalism and ethos that Reservists bring to business. We recently had the opportunity to visit Reservists on exercise in Cyprus to see first-hand the tangible business benefits Reservists bring to a range of civilian employers, as well as organisations servicing Scotland’s £1.6bn defence industry.”
Silver award holders demonstrate support for Defence by employing at least one Reservist, actively communicating and projecting a positive image of Defence to their employees via established HR policies and procedures. They also support Reservists by giving them the flexibility needed to plan and fulfil their annual training and mobilisation commitments.
To view all previous ERS award winners please visit our ERS Awards page.
