The University of Aberdeen has received an employer award for its support of the Armed Forces.
Aberdeen was awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award at a ceremony in Edinburgh Castle on November 10.
The University was nominated for its ‘dedicated and consistent support’ for the Armed Forces including support for the local University Officers’ Training Corps.
The University was also praised for its ‘comprehensive policy statement’ on the release of Reservists for training and operations. The policy’s ‘positive attitude’ toward the employment of ex-Regulars; spouses; injured, wounded and sick was also highlighted as a major positive.
According to the ERS website, Silver award holders:
- Demonstrate support for service personnel issues and employ at least one member of the armed forces community
- Actively communicate and uphold a positive stance to their employees via established HR policies and procedures
- Show flexibility towards annual training commitments and mobilisation of reservist employees and support the employment of cadet instructors, armed forces veterans (including wounded, injured and sick) and military spouses/partners
- Collect their certificate at a regional silver awards ceremony, receive silver logos to display and are themselves displayed on the list of Employer Recognition Scheme award winners
- Must be nominated for a silver award by a third party using the online nomination form
- Are required to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and employ at least one individual from the covenant category that the nomination emphasises