EARLIER this month, UK Docks received a Gold Award from the Armed Forces’ Employer Recognition Scheme.
It was a proud moment for the company, one of the most important accolades UK Docks has earned since its formation in 1992 and a serious commitment to the many ex-services personnel UK Docks employs.
It marked the end of a seven-year quest for the company since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018 and earning a bronze award (2022) and then a silver award (2024).
But what does it take to become a Gold Award holder and what actions do companies and organisations have to do to earn one?
The Gold Award banner that UK companies are allowed to display after successfully achieving recognition.
For those considering following us on the journey, here’s what Gold Award holders have to roll out in order to receive this prestigious recognition:
Gold award holders:
must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
employers must have an existing relationship with their National Account Manager/Regional Employer Engagement Director/appropriate defence representative
the employer must already be accredited as a holder of ERS Silver Award and held it with sufficient time to develop suitable plans and policies and evidence to support the ERS Gold application
the employer must proactively demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes. Where possible, they should be engaged with Career Transition Partnership (CTP) in the recruitment of service leavers and have registered for the Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) portal
the employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must have an internally publicised and positive HR policy on Reserves
the employer must be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results
within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place. They must provide at least 10 days’ additional leave for training, fully paid, to the Reservist employee
the employer must actively encourage a positive environment for Reservists by ensuring that positive policies in support of Reservists within the workforce are communicated to line managers
the employer must not have been the subject of any negative public relations or media activity
the employer should be an exemplar in demonstrating support to the Cadet movement. This could, for example, be through mentoring cadets in key employment skills, by providing guaranteed interviews for cadets.
For more information on the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award scheme, go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme