Ambulance service’s military recognition

Ambulance service chiefs on the North East have struck gold for their work in supporting former members or the armed services.

TheNorthEastAmbulance Service has been awarded a ‘Gold’ employer award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) after signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant in late 2020.

The accreditation comes after the service reviewed its reservist policy to ensure that serving military staff can meet their training requirements, provided in-house access to Veteran Champion Training and streamlined recruitment processes for veterans.

It also provides a staff military network, where workers can support each other;

Morethan400NEASworkers are veterans or reservists – with 30 of those taken on in the past year.

The service also employs more than 100 military spouses or partners, and four employees are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.

The ERS awards is run by theMinistryofDefenceandencouragesemployersacrossthe UK to recognise the value that members of the Armed Forces community bring to their respective workforces.

Karen Gardner, assistant director of people development at NEAS, said: “We are trulyhonouredtoreceiveGold accreditation.

“As an organisation, we fully recognise both their service and also the fantastic range of skillstheyhave,whicharecompletely transferable into our frontline and support roles.

"Theyarerightlyveryproud of the service they have given, and often continue to give, to their country, and we are equally proud of them and the valuable contribution they continue to make through working for us.”