North Yorkshire County Council has been given the coveted Gold Employer Recognition Scheme award by the Ministry of Defence.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme honours employers with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for their level of support to the armed forces and for aligning their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Gold Award winners must employ people from the armed forces community and demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes.
County Council Leader Councillor Carl Les said: “I am delighted and immensely proud that North Yorkshire County Council has been awarded the Ministry of Defence’s highest employer award in recognition of our commitment to the armed forces community as an employer of ex-service personnel, reservists and family members of serving personnel.
“In North Yorkshire, more than 12,000 people work for the Ministry of Defence, with two or three times as many family members.
“North Yorkshire is home to the country’s biggest army base, Catterick Garrison, together with associated barracks at Dishforth, Ripon and Topcliffe.
“It is also home to three RAF stations – Linton-on-Ouse, Leeming, Fylingdales and Menwith Hill – and the Harrogate-based Army Foundation College.
“Skilled service leavers, reservists and family members make a very significant contribution to the delivery of our services in all parts of the county.”
The annual Employer Recognition Scheme awards ceremony in London had to be cancelled this year due to the pandemic.
