The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme has recognised three Northamptonshire organisations by awarding them with the Silver Award. This award and recognition reflects the commitment that has been shown by all of these organisations in supporting Defence and employing people from the Armed Forces community. The Silver Award is an exceptional achievement and an honour earned by supporting those in the Armed Forces.

The three organisations who have been recognised with the Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme are Travis Perkins PLC, Metcalf Commercial Decorators Ltd and Goodwill Solutions CIC. These organisations all employ a number of reservists and service leaders. Each of the three organisations are known to value the skills and experience that is offered by hiring staff with military training.

In order to be considered for the Silver Award, employers must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment to support those that are serving or have served in the Armed forces and the servicemen and women’s’ families. The organisations must also have employed at least one member of the Armed Forces community as well as demonstrate active communication through established HR policies within the company to show flexibility in procedures for annual training commitments and mobilisation.

Travis Perkins PLC has actively recruited around 200 service leavers since 2015. These employees have taken roles in IT, supply chain and logistics. The company was also the 1,500th company to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme is a great initiative to reward organisations for supporting the Armed Services, and all three of the organisations will be invited to a formal presentation event where they will be presented with a certificate of their achievement to be displayed at their places of work. This formal event is set to take place in November of this year.