Council receives highest award in Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

The ERS encourages employers to support defence and the armed forces and inspire others to do the same.

The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Examples of how Buckinghamshire Council provides extra support for local armed forces families as an employer are through measures such as:

• guaranteeing job interviews for ex-armed forces personnel and serving reservists where they meet the essential criteria for a role
• offering extra leave for reservists to attend training
• providing a supportive work environment for employees who are members of the armed forces community, including facilitating a staff network

Arif Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:

“I’m delighted that we have been awarded Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. This award demonstrates our support for the values of the Armed Forces Covenant.

“In June, we held our first Armed Forces Conference promoting the benefits of employing veterans, reservists and their family members. The event was a testament to our ongoing commitment to the armed forces community, and supported our aim to encourage other local employers to become ‘forces friendly’.”

Cllr Mimi Harker OBE, Buckinghamshire Council’s Armed Forces Champion, added:

“I would like to thank the team behind this work for making this happen. Working these incredibly important values into the council’s approach across the board takes time and effort – and goes to show how important this is to our organisation.

"This award recognises the exceptional support we provide to the sizeable armed forces community in Buckinghamshire and the hard work we have put in since becoming a unitary authority. We are proud to support those who serve our country.”

Find out more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and the council’s support available for the armed forces community.