May 17, 2024
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The Office of Jackie Dunbar MSP was presented with the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award on 19 April.
Highland RFCA’s Regional Employer Engagement Director Ray Watt presented both certificates at the organisation’s office in Aberdeen. Ray (left) is pictured with Jackie Dunbar MSP and Councillor Michael Hutchison.
Jackie Dunbar is an SNP MSP and has represented Aberdeen Donside since 2021.
The Office of Jackie Dunbar MSP first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in January. By signing the Covenant, it has become one of the nearly 12,000 organisations to pledge support to the Armed Forces community.
Its commitment to honouring the Covenant includes pledges to:
- Promote the fact it is an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.
- Support the employment of Veterans.
- Support the employment of Service spouses and partners.
- Support employees who are members of the Reserve Forces; granting additional leave for annual training; supporting mobilisations and deployment.
- Support employees who are volunteer leaders in military cadet organisations; granting additional leave to attend annual training camps and courses; recognising the benefits of employing cadets and former cadets within the workforce.
- Support Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal Day and Remembrance activities.
- Ensure Armed Forces personnel and their families are not disadvantaged when it comes to establishing their connection to the constituency.
The Office of Jackie Dunbar MSP also received the 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.
Jackie Dunbar said: “I’m really pleased my office has been able to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant and has secured a Bronze Award from the Employer Recognition Scheme. Highland RFCA were a great help in taking me through the process and making it easy to understand.
“My dad served in the Gordon Highlanders and I’ve had the chance to work alongside a number Veterans and Reservists over the years. From that experience, I know those who have served are motivated, hard-working and they have experience of being able to work well under pressure – they’re great folk to have in your team.
“I’m hoping this can encourage other employers to sign up. It would benefit the Armed Forces family, but it would also benefit a lot of workplaces too.”
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].
Find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant.
Find out more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
