What is the Armed Forces Covenant?

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve or who have served, and their families, which says we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives. The Armed Forces Covenant relies on the people, communities, and businesses of the UK to actively support it in order to make a difference.

What is the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme?

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

In order to join the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, a business must first become a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Buckinghamshire Business First is a proud member of both

Buckinghamshire Business First officially signed the Armed Forces Covenant at a special ceremony in June 2023. We feel it’s everyone’s duty to help those who serve our country to transition to civilian life and fully utilise their skills and experience.

To further our commitment, Buckinghamshire Business First then became a proud Bronze award member of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, pledging our commitment to defence values and the Armed Forces Covenant. In practice, this means supporting existing or potential employees who are members of the armed forces community, and being open to employing reservists, veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

This is an issue that is close to home here in Buckinghamshire, with RAF Halton, just outside of Aylesbury, one of the largest RAF stations in the UK.

What will be your next step?

If you are already signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant:

You will find that it is really quick and easy to sign up to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. Find more information about it online, and take just five minutes to complete some questions and submit your self-nomination for the Bronze award.

If you are not signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant yet:

To register your interest and learn more about signing the Armed Forces Covenant, contact Leigh Thomas on 01252 357 620 or at se-reed2@rfca.mod.uk. Leigh is the South East Employer Engagement Director for the Armed Forces Covenant.

Visit the Armed Forces Covenant website for further details on pledging your support.

What is included in the Armed Forces Covenant pledge?

Each organisation will have their own unique pledge, having deciding upon the specific elements they wish to include and the practical steps they are able to take.

Pledge guidance and templates are available here on the Armed Forces Covenant website.

Examples of what an organisation could pledge to do include:

• supporting the employment of veterans, including through the Career Transition Partnership
• guaranteeing interviews for veterans, and recognising military skills and qualifications when interviewing
• supporting their own employees who choose to be members of the reserve forces
• offering support to local cadet units in the local community or schools
• offering a discount to members of the Armed Forces community
• giving the Armed Forces a fair deal on commercial products and services
• supporting self-employment or business ownership of veterans, spouses or reservists
• flexibility in granting leave for service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment

Learn more about the above examples and what you could include in your pledge, by reading the Armed Forces Covenant Guidance Notes.

Learn more about signing the Armed Forces Covenant

To register your interest and learn more about the Armed Forces Covenant, contact Leigh Thomas on 01252 357 620 or at se-reed2@rfca.mod.uk. Leigh is the South East Employer Engagement Director for the Armed Forces Covenant.

Visit the Armed Forces Covenant website for further details on pledging your support.

And remember: Once you have pledged your support, you can then self-nominate your business for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award.

For further information and advice, see the below links:

• An employer’s guide to hiring veterans
• Buckinghamshire Council’s Armed Forces webpage
• Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Career Transition Partnership
• Forces Families Jobs