Employers recognised for Armed Forces support

Employers including Toyota Manufacturing UK and Alstom have been recognised for their support of the Armed Forces.

They were among 14 organisations in the East Midlands to be honoured at a recent awards ceremony held in the Officers’ Mess at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, at Grantham.

Both Toyota Manufacturing UK and Alstom were named as winners of the Ministry of Defence’s prestigious ‘gold award’ for 2023 – the highest accolade in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for recognising the value of defence personnel in their business.

Partnerships between defence and civilian employers are a fundamental foundation of the UK’s Reserve Forces.

Thousands of such partnerships exist to support and advocate not just the Reserves but former and serving Armed Forces personnel and their families and Cadets across the East Midlands.

Some of these are informal, whereas others are formally recognised by entry into the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The scheme recognises organisations which proactively demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes.

They also, among other policies, provide Reserves within their workforce with at least 10 days of additional paid leave for training.

In return, employers benefit from members of staff who return with new qualifications and skills.

Fred Hopkins, head of engagement at East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said: “Achieving the gold award is a remarkable accomplishment and I would like to congratulate our 2023 winners.

“We are very proud of the support and advocacy our gold holders provide to defence, especially for Reserves and Cadets.

“I very much look forward to building on these mutually beneficial partnerships and establishing even more through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in the years ahead.”