Veolia is the first environmental solutions provider to be recognised with a ‘Gold’ status Defence Employers Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award for its work with the British Armed Forces.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) award represent the highest badge of honour that is available to organisations that employ and support serving armed forces personnel, veterans and their families, and encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same. As a longstanding employer of over 500 ex-servicemen and women, Veolia has benefited from the skills that reservists, veterans and military families can bring to the business.
Working under the Armed Services Covenant Veolia has also provided a wide range of additional support by developing a mutually beneficial strategic relationship which promotes that they are an armed forces-friendly organisation. This includes the appointment of an Armed Forces Champion within Veolia UK to promote the employment of service leavers and veterans, and work with employees who are members of the Reserve Forces and those who work with Cadet Forces. The company also helps the careers of service spouses and partners, and provides flexibility in granting leave for service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment.
Commenting on the award, Gavin Graveson, Executive Vice-President Veolia UK & Ireland, said:
“This Gold award status emphasises our respect for the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. Our support highlights the contribution the services make and seeks to actively help them during and after their service to our country. This latest recognition shows how Veolia is going the extra mile to back our Armed Forces community and the commitment they make to keep our country safe.”
United Kingdom Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said:
“These awards recognise the outstanding support for our armed forces from employers across Britain and I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one. Regardless of size, location or sector, employing ex-forces personnel is good for business and this year we have doubled the number of awards in recognition of the fantastic support they give.”
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Johnny Mercer, added:
“Veterans make a huge contribution to businesses across the country and it’s fantastic to see a record breaking number of organisations recognised for their support. We’re working closely with businesses to help them further understand the huge value that veterans, reservists and military spouses can bring to their organisation.”
Working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), Veolia also offers employment opportunities for regular and Reserve Forces and seeks to enable serving members of the Regular or Reserve Forces to gain practical experience of energy management, water, or waste operations, relevant to their deployable roles. These typically include combined heat and power and industrial steam plant technologies that are widely used by Veolia and are also used in military applications.
For additional information, visit www.veolia.co.uk.
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