Tamworth Borough Council is proud to announce further steps to support The Armed Forces Covenant and the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, including the veterans guaranteed interview scheme.
The veteran’s guaranteed interview scheme – which supports the Armed Forces Covenant and the council’s existing Bronze status with the Employer Recognition Scheme, means veterans meeting all essential criteria for any job applied for will be shortlisted for interview.
Tamworth Borough Council has also improved the policies supporting staff who are reservists. The council have a long history of supporting employees who are reservists and recognise that many of the skills that reservists gain during their training are transferable to the workplace.
The new policy includes paid time off for annual camp training and entitlements if any employee is called up. The reserve forces include the Army Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, along with their families, should be treated fairly. It is a promise that they should not be disadvantaged because of their service and acts as recognition of the sacrifices the armed forces make on our behalf.
All local authorities across the country have signed up to the covenant and many businesses have too.
The principles of the Armed Forces Covenant are:
1. To recognise the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces.
2. To remove disadvantages arising for service people due to their membership, or former membership, of the armed forces.
3. Ensure special provision for service people is considered. This includes serving and former armed forces personnel or their families and those who may have been injured or bereaved in service.
The covenant ensures that armed forces personnel have improved access to local authority services such as housing, for example the need for a local connection is removed in the case of housing armed forces personnel.
Councillor Tina Clements, Portfolio Holder for Engagement, Leisure and Events, said: “Tamworth Borough Council has committed to the Armed Forces Covenant since 2012 and recognise the commitment to those that have and still remain serving the nation.
“We are proud to confirm the new policies covering reservist and recruitment and selection. As a council we are committed to supporting our staff who volunteer in these key roles in the armed forces, plus offer fair opportunities for veterans seeking employment within our organisation.”
Tamworth Borough Council is currently recognised as a Bronze Award level employer in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme meaning they have a signed covenant and promote being armed forces friendly in policy and practice.
Notes:
There are two main types of Reservists:
- Volunteer Reservists – civilians recruited into the Royal Naval Reserves, Royal Marine Reserves, Army Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
- Regular Reservists – ex-regular servicemen who may retain a liability to be mobilised depending on how long they have served in the Armed Forces.
The Reserve Forces Act 1996 also provides for other categories, such as:
- Full Time Reserve Service – Reservists who wish to serve full time with regulars for a predetermined period in a specific posting.
- Additional Duties Commitment – part-time service for a specified period in a particular post.
- Sponsorship Reserves – These are personnel employed by a contractor to provide a service to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- High Readiness Reserves – These are Reserves, usually with a particular skill set, that are available at short notice (with written agreement from their employer).