CHAMBER RECEIVES MINISTRY OF DEFENCE'S ERS SILVER AWARD

Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce has been awarded the Ministry of Defence’s ERS Silver Award; the second highest accolade for supporting the Armed Forces community.

An official ceremony was attended by Damon Scott, Chief Executive, Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, at Edinburgh Castle recently where the Chamber and other Scottish recipients were presented with their awards.

Commenting on the announcement of the 2018 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver awards, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans, the Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP said: “I am delighted to congratulate the recipients of this year’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver awards. A Silver award recognises the fantastic efforts of employers throughout the UK who have both elevated their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and provided actual benefit to the Armed Forces Community. The winners should all be proud of the life- changing impact and fresh opportunities they are providing to our Reservists, veterans, wounded injured and sick and their families. We’ve seen a record number of winners this year, which shows that the Armed Forces family talent pool is also providing tangible business benefit.”

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme was established in 2014 to recognise and reward UK employers for their support and commitment to Defence. The scheme was a commitment made in the July 2013 White Paper ‘Reserves in the Future Forces 2020’.

Damon Scott added: "Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce is very proud to have received this award. 

Earlier this year we were delighted to be recognised as the first chamber and board in the UK to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. We have been working for a number of years with the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (HRFCA) to organise awareness events and promoting transferable skills and experience from the armed forces to local businesses to help enhance employment opportunities and support the employment of reservists and sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The wide variety of skills members of the armed forces community bring to a workforce makes them an invaluable asset. By partnering with defence we are aiming to raise awareness of their value to the business community.”