Following our successful achievement in gaining the Ministry of Defence - Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award last September, our ongoing efforts to support the Armed Forces Community have now been recognised with a Silver Award.
The prestigious awards acknowledge employers who have provided exceptional support to the Armed Forces Community and defence by going above and beyond their Covenant pledges.
To gain a Silver Award, employers need to build on the Bronze standard by proactively demonstrating that service personnel/armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruiting and selection processes.
They must also actively ensure that their workforce is aware of the positive policies towards defence people, issues, and support defence training, by providing at least 5 days’ additional unpaid/paid leave.
North East Derbyshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Alan Powell, said “What a fantastic achievement this is for our authority. It is a true reflection of our ongoing hard work to support the armed forces community employees and commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant”.
“It is an incredible honour for our authority to get this award and we are forever indebted to the sacrifices our Armed Forces personnel make”.
Although there will not be a formal awards ceremony this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, North East Derbyshire District Council will receive a framed certificate to mark their achievement and the success will be included in MoD’s national press and social media releases.