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We signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012 and have chaired the sub-regional Covenant partnership since then. We are applying for the Gold Award, under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

We recognise that those leaving the armed forces may be disadvantaged in terms of securing meaningful employment and adjusting to a civilian environment. We use a guaranteed interview scheme to address this disadvantage.

We want to be a great employer with outstanding leadership and a talented, agile workforce. We believe that a diverse range of talent is vital in creating an effective workforce who can bring different skills and experiences to the table.

We also recognise the contribution that members of the armed forces community can make to its staff group in terms of the soft skills, attributes and values they bring to the organisation.

Guaranteed interview

We guarantee an interview to any service person or leaver who meets the essential criteria for any post being advertised externally. This covers external candidates where at least one of the following applies:

  • You are serving armed forces personnel during the 12 weeks prior to your discharge date from the armed forces.
  • You are ex-armed forces personnel within 3 years of your discharge date.
  • The armed forces were your last long-term substantive employer.

Applicants must disclose that they meet the criteria and would like to be considered for the scheme. This is on the declarations page of the application form.

You will need to provide evidence that you are eligible at the interview stage. This will be:

  • Discharge notice for those within 12 weeks of leaving the armed forces
  • Certificate of Service or Veterans ID card issued by the MOD
  • A letter on headed paper from a senior officer of the service individual’s unit, ship or establishment to the recruiting manager, confirming that you are a currently serving member of the armed forces.

This is not a guaranteed job for veterans. Selection procedures will still ensure the best candidate for the job is appointed based on objective criteria.

Anyone falsely claiming to be a veteran or a currently serving member of the armed forces may have the offer of employment withdrawn or employment terminated.

Reserve forces and cadet force adult instructors

We support our staff to be reservists and cadet force adult instructors through the following:

  • 10 days of paid leave (pro-rata for part-time staff) for those serving in the reserve forces or those volunteering their time as adult cadet instructors for undertaking their annual camp or other training specific to their reserve or adult cadet instructor role
  • Up to 10 days of additional unpaid leave in total (pro-rata for part-time staff) across successive 3-year periods, for those serving in the reserve forces or volunteering their time as adult cadet instructors for undertaking additional specialist training to enhance their role or for progression within the reserve

Reservists who have been mobilised will receive support from their line manager and other colleagues before, during and post mobilisation.

Work experience scheme

Work experience may be offered for those who are:

  • Armed forces personnel within 12 weeks of their discharge date
  • Ex-armed forces personnel within 2 years of their date of discharge
  • Spouses or civil partners of currently serving armed forces personnel

Applications from those who are in the wounded, injured sick (WIS) category or medically discharged are welcomed.

Work experience placements are usually unpaid and last between one and two weeks.

Spouses of serving regulars and reservists

Spouses and civil partners of serving Regular or Reserve Forces personnel may be required to adjust family arrangements following their partner's posting or deployment. This can place additional burdens upon the spouse/family and they may wish to consider the option of flexible working as a temporary or permanent measure.

Where appropriate, compassionate or special leave may be granted to spouses to assist them in dealing with critical issues arising from deployment or illness, injury or death wholly or partly attributable to being in service.

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