HRFCA’s Regional Employer Engagement Directors have been busy delivering Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award revalidation certificates.
The certificates are for employers who joined the Ministry of Defence scheme in 2015/16, with both Gold and Silver awards reviewed on a rolling five-year basis.
As part of this, Roy McLellan visited Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) in Inverness to present their certificate, meeting the organisation’s Andrea Sillars, Director of HR, and Helen Robertson, Learning and Development Co-ordinator.
The award is in recognition of the support organisations give to the Armed Forces community.
The ERS Scheme recognises those who demonstrate or advocate support to that community and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant – a pledge from the nation that those who serve or who have served and their families are treated fairly.
Silver Award winners must meet certain criteria, including: employing at least one individual from the armed forces community, actively ensuring that their workforce is aware of their positive policies, demonstrating support to mobilisations of reservists and providing at least five days’ additional leave for training.
For organisations to be revalidated they must continue to adhere to that criteria. The revalidations recognise the long-term support employers have given to the Armed Forces community and highlight that, through their consistent support over a sustained period of time, they have been able to continue to champion and demonstrate their forces-friendly measures.
HIAL made a pledge to support recruitment within the Armed Forces community, including reservists, veterans, and the family members of those serving in the forces.
Roy McLellan said: “HIAL is dedicated to supporting the defence agenda and is participating fully in our scheme. HIAL has clearly put a lot of effort into supporting reservists and veterans within the business and it is a pleasure to be associated with HIAL. I would like to congratulate them on this achievement.”
Andrea Sillars, HIAL director of Human Resources, who was on hand last month to receive the award, said: “We have over 60 members of staff who are affiliated with the Armed Forces.
“As an organisation we attract a wide range of people from across society for our many different roles. We want to support all our staff to develop and succeed.”
HIAL first signed up to the scheme in May 2015 and the award recognises its commitment to the Armed Forces for the next five years.
For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant, click HERE.
For more information on the Employer Recognition Scheme, click HERE.
● HIAL is responsible for the management and operation of 11 regional airports serving some of the nation’s remotest communities: at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick John O’Groats.
