3 August 2018
It is with great pride that we announce that we have received a Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence as part of its Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
The MOD's ERS Gold Awards represent the highest badge of honour available to companies that employ and support those who serve in the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. In receiving this honour, we stand among 77 other organisations who currently hold the distinction in the UK.
Gold award holders are recognised for their long-term commitment to the Armed Forces, with public and private sector companies achieveing the top grade. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and engaged with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to promote the recruitment of services leavers and honour our pledges of support.
Commenting on the accolade, Clive Anderson, Managing Director at WYG, said: "WYG has a proud history working with the military and is a strong supporter of the Armed Forces, with around 15 percent of its project management team from an ex-military background. This award is recognition of the work we have undertaken to support ex-Service personnel in making the transition into civilian life. It also reflects our support to serving Reservists, both for ongoing training commitments and operational deployment."
“We believe the leadership and technical skills that military personnel develop during their service, such as problem-solving and working under pressure, prepares them for our business environment, and we are proud to count them amongst our employees."
Our company policies and procedures support and advocate the employment of veterans and reservists, whilst also supporting their families. We support the Armed Forces charities, and activities such as CTP initiatives, which play a big part in our corporate social responsibility calendar. Just this past year, we've led a number of voluntary activities to commemorate the Royal British Legion's Poppy Day in several cities throughout the UK.
James Simonds, Associate Director at WYG, who served with the Royal Engineers, said: “As an ex-military employee, it is an honour to work for a company that has been recognised by the Ministry of Defence. I was attracted to working for WYG upon leaving the services because of the consistent professional support I received from them as consultants on operations in Afghanistan and UK infrastructure projects with DIO. They were extremely accommodating of my desire to take a seven-month career break before joining them.”
“WYG fully recognised the benefits that my service career could offer to the company and its support to the MOD through the DIO. I would wholeheartedly recommend WYG to service leavers as a company that not only appreciates them, but serves and supports the wider service community.”
The Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Tobias Ellwood, added: “The breadth and diversity of this year’s winners shows how business support for the Armed Forces continues to flourish. Their commitment is a testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation."
“We all have a role to play in ensuring that the Armed Forces community is not disadvantaged by service, and each of these employers is setting an example as meaningful advocates for those protecting the nation.”
An awards ceremony will be held in London this October, where representatives from each of the 50 employers will be presented with their award.
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