Coleg y Cymoedd awarded for their support towards the armed forces community

Coleg y Cymoedd has successfully secured a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, the highest badge of honour to recognise the positive role that an employer can plan in supporting the Armed Forces community.

Named as one of just 193 organisations in the UK, Coleg y Cymoedd are proud to be among the few including Marks & Spencer Plc, Toyota and Hilton, who have received this year’s distinction. More than this, the college is one of only 10 winners from across Wales joining a very select group of Gold ERS holders.

As the third largest employer in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taff, Coleg y Cymoedd has proactively demonstrated their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection process. They welcome job applications from Veterans, Reservists, and those with military-serving relatives.

Having progressed from the ERS Silver Award, Coleg y Cymoedd have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and have proven to be an exemplar within the education sector; advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations with tangible positive results.

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison said:“I would like to thank all the organisations that have been recognised in this year’s awards. I’m delighted that we have seen so many organisations recognised with a gold award. Their continued support demonstrates the unique benefits and strengths that our Armed Forces community can bring to the workplace.”

Employer Engagement Officer for Coleg y Cymoedd and former RAF member, Paul Rees said: “At Coleg y Cymoedd we’ve developed an Armed Forces Network where we can not only support each other, but help recruit other service personnel. Our purpose is to shine a light on the college being such a rewarding and accessible environment.

In my time here, I have used transferable skills from my RAF experiences to benefit both students and staff. Coleg y Cymoedd has given me the support and confidence to pursue other sides of my job role and have resulted in me becoming an Armed Forces Champion, to encourage other members of the Military Family to share their experiences. Both myself and the college has benefited from me being a member of the Armed Forces.”

Director of People and Culture at Coleg y Cymoedd, Julie Rees said: “We are delighted that our support of the armed forces has been recognised with a Gold Award.

We hope to see the college Armed Forces Network grow and to increase our provisions for armed forces veterans and Reservists as part of our DERS award in the future.”

Discover workplace benefits through our current job vacancies: www.cymoedd.ac.uk/careers

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