North Warwickshire Borough Council has successfully achieved a renewed five-year revalidation under the Ministry of Defence's Gold Employer Recognition Scheme.
The Council along with other local authorities across Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull pledged its commitment to the Armed Forces community via the Coventry, Warwickshire, and Solihull Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012.
The Gold Award, the highest honour within the scheme, recognises organisations that exceed expectations in delivering outstanding support to the Armed Forces Community.
The award revalidation, conducted on a rolling five-year basis, acknowledges organisations that have consistently maintained high levels of support while actively promoting and implementing initiatives that are friendly to military personnel within their workforce and local communities.
The Council is a ‘Forces Friendly’ employer and recognises and values the commitment made by members of the Armed Forces community. To support veterans and reservists, The Council introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for veterans and reservists, which also includes spouses or civil partners of current service personnel.
This commitment is to guarantee an interview to any veterans or reservists who meet the essential criteria set out in the job profile for roles that are advertised externally. The Council recognises that veterans and reservists can bring valuable transferable skills, qualities, and benefits.
Armed Forces Covenant Member Champion, Councillor David Humphreys, said:
“The Council is proud to retain the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Employer recognition award. This achievement reflects our ongoing and enhanced commitment to supporting armed forces personnel.”