Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has successfully retained its Armed Forces Covenant Gold Employer recognition award for its continued support of the Armed Forces community, Past and Present, and their families.
The Council’s highly prestigious Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award has been revalidated as the local authority continues to encourage employers and employees to support the Armed Forces and its community and inspire others to do the same.
In January 2022, the Council strengthened its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant by introducing a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans and Reservists. This commitment is to guarantee an interview to any veterans or reservists that meet the essential criteria set out in the job profile for roles that are advertised externally. The Council recognises that veterans and reservists can bring valuable transferable skills, qualities, and benefits.
The Council was initially presented with the Ministry of Defence’s prestigious Gold Employer recognition award in 2017 in recognition of its approach to supporting the Armed Forces community locally. The Gold Award has been retained in 2022 following the MOD’s assessment of all its hard work and dedication, also recognising the Council’s pledge, demonstration and advocate support to the Defence and Armed Forces community.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council becoming one of the first Local Authorities in Wales to establish an Armed Forces Covenant, formerly named the Armed Forces Community Covenant.
To obtain the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, recipients must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, demonstrate its support by already holding a valid Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award and proactively demonstrate its forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes.
The employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues and must be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results.
Councillor Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Armed Forces Champion, said: “We are so proud to retain the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Employer recognition award. We all owe such a huge debt to all those service men and women who have fought and served both at home and overseas.
“Many lost their lives during battle, but we continue to remember them with great pride and extreme gratitude and offer our support to their families as well as to all our veterans across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“It is important that our veterans of all ages, and their families, know that the Council’s Armed Forces Veterans Service is there to offer them help, support and guidance whenever they need it in their lives.
“The Council is proud to continue its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which it first signed 10 years ago. A decade on, and we remain loyal and pledge our continued support.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf has a proud record of valuing its Armed Forces, Past and Present, and the Armed Forces Covenant, which the Council signed and committed to during a ceremony at Sardis Road Rugby Football Club, Pontypridd, in 2012, is a true testament to the Council’s ongoing support of its Armed Forces Community.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between the civilian community of Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Armed Forces Community based in the County Borough. The pledge recognises the dual respect between the Council, its partner agencies, its local communities and the Armed Forces Personnel (serving and retired) and their families.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Armed Forces Covenant https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/GetInvolved/ArmedForcesCovenant/ArmedForcesCovenant.aspx
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council was one of the first local authorities in Wales to sign the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012, a commitment that was reaffirmed in 2018, cementing a mutual understanding between its local communities and the Armed Forces, Past and Present.
A decade on and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, continues with its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which significantly progresses the Council’s objectives to support its Armed Forces community.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is proud to have established an Armed Forces Staff Network, consisting of members of staff from across various Council services. It has also introduced an Armed Forces Guaranteed Interview process and has a very successful Veteran’s Advice Service, which has established and supports three Veterans groups across the County Borough.
The Council’s Veteran Advice service also provides free, impartial, dedicated information, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces Community within Rhondda Cynon Taf. The service covers a range of areas, including Benefits, Adult Social Care, Finances, Employment and Housing.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Veteran Advice Service https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/GetInvolved/ArmedForcesCovenant/VeteranAdviceService.aspx
On June 2, 2018, the local authority granted the Freedom of the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf to MOD St Athan, and all local service personnel of the Royal Air Force, past and present. The Council also granted the Freedom of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough to The Welsh Guards in 2013.
The Council’s Veteran Advice Service is available for all past and present Armed Forces personnel and their families. Email: VeteransService@rctcbc.gov.uk or call 07747 485 619 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm).
Posted on 05/10/2022