Posted on: Thursday 6 August 2020
Torfaen council has been named as one of this years' winners of the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards for demonstrating outstanding support for the armed forces community.
The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards continues to grow in strength year on year, and this year there were only nine Welsh employers among the 127 awarded Gold. To win an award, organisations must demonstrate that they provide ten extra paid days leave for Reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for Veterans, Reserves, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Spouses and Partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
The council has played a key role in establishing and maintaining an Armed Forces Covenant for the county. The Covenant is a pledge, taken by public and private sector organisations, that together they acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society that they serve with their lives.
Councillor Anthony Hunt, Leader of the council, said: "As an employer, the council recognises the wide range of transferable skills that ex-service personnel can bring to the workplace. We actively strive to make our policies forces-friendly and we advocate that our partners, local businesses and suppliers do the same."
"I am delighted and immensely proud that the council has been awarded the Ministry of Defence’s highest employer award in recognition of our commitment to the armed forces community."
Councillor Alan Jones, the council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: "I am thrilled we won a Gold Award because we work hard to respect and give recognition to the Armed Forces. We are committed to doing what we can in the council to help reservists and their families, and make sure they have access to the full range of support they are entitled to."
Find out more about the Armed Forces Community Covenant.