ABM has achieved Silver Employer Recognition Scheme status as part of the company’s commitment to the Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) in the UK.
As a signatory to the AFC, ABM is committed to ensuring both veterans and serving armed forces personnel are encouraged to join ABM across all lines of business, and that they’re supported in their working life as team members.
ABM’s Silver status, which recognises employers who have surpassed their covenant pledges, takes immediate effect and will require yearly review and ongoing commitment.
ABM works with the AFC and other partners in the scheme to proactively recruit new team members who have served the country and give paid leave to all reservists on the team, allowing them to continue to serve whilst working for ABM in the UK. An internal Armed Forces Working Group ensures that the challenges and opinions of service personnel working at ABM are heard regularly and action is taken to continually provide support.
Chris Horrocks, Culture and Communications Manager and member of the Armed Forces Working Group at ABM UK & Ireland, said: “ABM has been committed to recruiting and supporting armed forces personnel and their families for some time, however we are strengthening that commitment to provide more support and welcome more veterans, serving personnel and their families to work at ABM.
“Achieving silver status is a great honour, but it also allows us an additional platform to promote awareness of how to support services personnel and understand some of the issues they may be facing as a result of being involved in active service.
“This is a long-term commitment, and we intend to continue strengthening our support of the AFC; applying for Gold recognition as soon as the qualifying period begins.”
Ex-services and serving armed forces personnel offer businesses a variety of transferable skills. Whether working in aviation, facilities management, transport, retail and security, or technical services and cleaning, ABM offers opportunities in a range of areas.
Bim Tamang, Founder of the Gurkha Centre, commented: “This is great news and is very well deserved. ABM works with several armed forces charities, supporting with events, volunteering and fundraising including The Gurkha Centre and Nepalese communities around the UK. We have loved working with the team.”
