IoSCM is one of 127 new employers awarded for supporting the Armed Forces Community this year.
The most supportive organisations for Britain’s Armed Forces from both the private and public sectors were announced on Thursday, 30th July 2020.
The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards continues to grow in strength year on year. 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. They also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and to engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
2020 marks the seventh year of the awards scheme and this year 47% of winners are either Micro organisations or SMEs, and 38% are public organisations. This demonstrates both the growth in numbers and the depth of supportive employers who cover a wide range of sectors and company size. This year’s 127 award winners join a group of 226 winners from previous years bringing the total to 353 organisations who can share their knowledge and experience on the benefits of employing those from the Armed Forces community.
Johnny Mercer, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, said: “The breadth and diversity of the winners this year shows how business support for the Armed Forces continues to grow no matter the sector, company size or location. I am grateful for the positive attitude and flexible policies these organisations have adapted towards the defence community, which is testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation. I am delighted that so many companies are supporting our people and that, through this scheme, we can give them the public recognition they deserve.”
IoSCM Communications Manager, Kimberley Jayne said: “We are delighted to have achieved the gold award, as recognition of the amazing efforts of our team and the organisation to support the wider forces community. A core value of our business is to help others, and we do this in a multitude of ways, from fundraising, career development guidance, providing learning opportunities, and sharing our knowledge and expertise across a global network of civilian and military members, learners, clients and contacts. Now we have achieved the Gold Award; we look forward to finding new ways to enhance the support available for the wider forces community, including encouraging other businesses to pledge their commitment.”
IoSCM have built up the level of support and the range of services we provide to the Armed Forces over several years. We began by working with service leavers to help them invest their Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCAS) in training that will provide them with the skills and qualifications they need to map their military capabilities into a civilian career. Identifying gaps in the support available to those individuals during their transition period, IoSCM has been working tirelessly ever since to bridge that gap and forge strong connections between employers and Military, in varying ways.
IoSCM Managing Director Jacky Smith said: “IoSCM has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Community and achieved tangible results through supporting full and part-time serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and military families. Through identifying and communicating the links between a military career and a role within the supply chain IoSCM have been able to create a series of ‘touch points’ where the community can access guidance, support and a range of specific benefits. By actively promoting the benefits of employing veterans and military family members to the business community and creating a successful model of recruitment, IoSCM has been at the forefront of reducing barriers to employment. We actively recruit service leavers into our business as we value their unique and transferrable skills sets and the core competencies those individuals can bring to our organisation. I’m delighted that the commitment of our team has been a success; their enthusiasm has impressed and inspired me. It’s terrific that their achievements have been recognised, through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme”.
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) was launched in 2014 by then Prime Minister David Cameron to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Defence Armed Forces Covenant and the full spectrum of Defence personnel. This includes the Reserves, Service Leavers, Wounded Injured and Sick, Cadets, and spouses.
There are Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards available with varying criteria for each category. IoSCM has previously been awarded Bronze and then Silver before applying for the Gold category in 2020. The awards enable successful entries to demonstrate their commitments to the Armed Forces Community and are a great way to connect with other organisations to create new relationships, encourage more support for the Military and find new ways to strengthen their commitment.
This year a large number of fantastic businesses have been awarded Gold, alongside IoSCM.
James Moore, The President of Vetforce UK at Salesforce, said: “This award is testament to our continued commitment to support the forces community, whether this be through the provision of career transition assistance, by raising funds for military charities or championing the military community to our organisation. As a former Army Officer, I know first-hand the challenges of finding work after leaving the forces and feel honoured to work for an organisation like Salesforce which recognises the value members of this community can bring to the workplace.”
Stephen Corfield, SVP and GM of Industry Sales UK&I at Salesforce added: “We are thrilled to be awarded Gold in the UK Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. At Salesforce, equality is a core tenet of how we run our business, and we believe that our business and our community thrive as a result. This is a wonderful recognition of the work our Vetforce team does to build a workplace that respects and values the experience of reservists, veterans and their spouses.”
David Gagen, CEO of Engage Technical Solutions, said: “Engage Technical Solutions is delighted to have been awarded Gold in the Employers Recognition Scheme. This award represents a significant milestone and reflects the hard work that the team have put in to ensure Engage offers Service Leavers a route where they are fully supported to make the transition into civilian life.
With Service leavers from the Army, Navy, and the RAF making up to 90% of our Delivery Team Engage strives for a welcoming environment tailored to each individual’s needs. With a mainly Defence & Security-focused client base, Engage is well placed to use the skills and experience that the Service Leavers bring with them and quickly enables them to develop new skills and enjoy new experiences delivering for our clients.”
Congratulations to every organisation that has been awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold in the 2020 Employee Recognition Scheme.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation, ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. More information about the Armed Forces Covenant and how to get involved is at https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/.
If you have any questions about signing the Covenant or demonstrating your organisation’s commitment, IoSCM is happy to help. Email info@ioscm.com and a relevant member of the team will contact you to offer their support.
For a full list of Employer Recognition Scheme Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme
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For further information please contact Kimberley Jayne telephone 0800 1422 522 or email info@ioscm.com.