Council wins prestigious Silver Award from Ministry of Defence

Neath Port Talbot Council was awarded a Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) in 2023 – one of only 17 major Welsh employers to have received the Silver Award that year

The prestigious award recognises employers who have actively demonstrated support for the Armed Forces community by implementing policies to help them.

To achieve the Silver award, organisations must proactively demonstrate that the Armed Forces community is not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruitment policies.

They must also actively ensure their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards the defence community and understand issues for reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers, and spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.

2023 marked the tenth year of the award scheme and it is ten years since NPT Council signed the Community Covenant (having recently  re-signed the updated Armed Forces Covenant earlier in year).

Under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, employers support defence personnel and encourage others to do the same. The scheme has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold for organisations that pledge, demonstrate and advocate support for defence and the Armed Forces community.

L-R Karen Jones – NPT Chief Executive, Commander Steve Drysdale OBE – Royal Navy Officer, Cllr. Wyndham Griffiths – NPT Armed Forces Champion, Finola Pickwell – Regional Armed Forces Covenant Liaison Officer, Cllr. Tim Bowen – NPT Armed Forces Champion, Air Cmdre Adrian Williams – Air Officer Wales, Col. Sion Walker OBE – Deputy Commander 160th (Welsh) Brigade.