January 25, 2023
/
Tayside Aviation Ltd has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, becoming one of the 9,000+ organisations to have pledged support to the Armed Forces community.
The Covenant – a commitment to support the country’s service personnel wherever and however an organisation can – was presented at Tayside Aviation’s base at Dundee Airport on January 18.
HRFCA Regional Employer Engagement Director Roy McLellan handed over the award to Jodie Ewan (Executive Assistant and Student Liaison) and James Whitby (Accountable Manager).
Tayside Aviation’s commitment to honouring the Covenant includes pledges to:
- Promote the fact it is an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.
- Support the employment of veterans.
- Support employees who choose to be members of the Reserve Forces by accommodating their training and deployment.
- Support the employment of Service spouses and partners.
- Support employees who are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
- Support Armed Forces Day and other National events.
- Offer a discount to members of the Armed Forces community.
Tayside Aviation Managing Director Willem Marais first signed the Covenant in November last year.
As well as signing the Covenant, Tayside Aviation also received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award. The ERS awards encourage employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The prestigious Bronze, Silver and Gold awards are for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Tayside Aviation has been delivering flight training for 53 years. It is a UK CAA Approved Flight Training Organisation delivering all courses from Private Pilot Licence to a full Airline Licence. For over 30 years Tayside Aviation has delivered the RAF Air Cadet Pilot Scheme (ACPS). Their Dundee base is home to 20 light aircraft, classroom training facilities and engineering support services.
Willem said: “As a leading flight training organisation, Tayside Aviation works closely with many members of the Armed Forces, from those taking their first steps into a career in the RAF to veterans training to become flight instructors. We have a number of ex-military personnel, including myself, in our senior management team so our connection with the Armed Forces is one that is very important to us. We are extremely proud to continue our close association by supporting the Armed Forces Covenant and are delighted to receive our ERS Bronze Award.”
Roy said: “We are delighted that Tayside Aviation has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and received an ERS Bronze Award. The organisation is involved in training RAF Air Cadets, and also employs numerous veterans; making them worthy recipients of both these accolades. We look forward to working with them in the future and helping them climb the ERS ladder of support.”
● Image (top) shows from left: David Muir (Continued Air-Worthiness Manager) John Duckett (Stores Manager); James Whitby (Accountable Manager); Roy McLellan (HRFCA); Jodie Ewen (Executive Assistant and Student Liaison); Mark Moraetes (Chief Engineer); Geoff Sloan (Licenced Engineer and CAM Assistant). David, John, Mark and Geoff are all Armed Forces veterans.
To find out how you can support the Armed Forces, contact HRFCA’s Regional Employer Engagement Directors Roy McLellan at [email protected], or Ray Watt at [email protected].
To find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant, click HERE.
To find out more about Tayside Aviation, click HERE.
