Blog post
Reflections on Remembrance Day
Our people to share their reflections on why it's important to remember those who have served and what Remembrance Day means to them.
Blog
To help make that commitment a reality, Opencast is this summer signing up to the UK government’s Armed Forces Covenant, a pledge made by businesses to support serving and former services personnel.
The covenant states: “Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether regular or reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services… recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution.”
I couldn’t agree more – and thankfully, neither could Opencast’s board, which backed me unanimously in committing to a new relationship with our forces community. Opencast recognises the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families can bring to our business and to our country.
The ERS recognises commitment and support from UK businesses for defence personnel. The scheme comprises bronze, silver and gold awards for employers who provide exceptional support to the armed forces community by going above and beyond their covenant pledges. The ERS isn’t a commitment only to help serving and former military personnel – it helps their families too.
We are obviously aiming for the gold award.
There are two reasons why signing the covenant and joining the ERS are important. Firstly, Opencast is a caring employer that is always looking to give something back. Who better to support than those who have served their country?
Secondly, Opencast is always on the look out for the very best people, and there is a constant pipeline of talent leaving the armed forces – many of them young, tech-savvy soldiers wanting to build a second career.
Military personnel, veterans and their families are potential change makers. They are trained to learn new skills, to adapt and to face challenges head on. We also have a massive tech skills gap in the UK and there is a talent pool of 14,000 military leavers every year who can help to fill that gap.
I think more and more armed service personnel are serving for shorter periods, so they are leaving the military at a relatively young age looking for what comes next.
These people can be our technology wizards of the future.
I’d like Opencast to help service personnel transition from the armed forces into good, meaningful careers within technology. I want us to be recognised UK wide as a forces-friendly company that understands and welcomes the contributions they can make.
We also want our commitment to set an example to other businesses right across the UK on what can be done to strengthen links with the armed forces.
I’m an example of how that aided transition from military to civilian can and should work.
After studying chemistry at Manchester University I worked at Aviva, then underwent officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
I commissioned into 39th Regiment Royal Artillery as a troop commander, then joined 4th Regiment Royal Artillery as a battery captain and fire support team commander.
In five years with the Royal Artillery I completed various exercises and tours, including a tour of Afghanistan.
I was missing my son Harry growing up, so took the decision to leave the forces. I joined the ex-forces programme at global tech recruitment business FDM Group – and that enabled me to transition into civilian life working in technology.
I know what a difference programmes run by committed, welcoming companies can make to former services personnel. I am working hard to help ensure that Opencast is one of the companies delivering on that commitment.
Our people to share their reflections on why it's important to remember those who have served and what Remembrance Day means to them.
This year, Opencast was certified as a purpose-driven B Corp, reflecting our commitment to social and environmental impact. Work by people across the...
GG Care was founded with a vision to harness the power of technology to help older people with dementia to live healthier, more independent lives – an...
Professionals working in people and HR teams across industry grow and learn from each other by sharing their ideas. That’s the key reason for a new bl...
Loading...
