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We’re incredibly proud to announce that John Pipe International has been awarded the Silver Award as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and our support for the wider Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, and military families.
What is the Armed Forces Covenant?
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect in the workplace and wider society. By signing the Covenant, businesses like John Pipe International pledge to support the forces community in various practical and meaningful ways.
You can read about when we first signed the Covenant and received the Bronze Award here.
What is the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS)?
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) was created by the Ministry of Defence to recognise employers who go above and beyond in their support for defence and the Armed Forces community. The scheme is made up of three levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each level represents a deeper commitment and set of actions taken by the employer to support defence personnel.
The Silver Award, in particular, is awarded to companies that:
- Demonstrate that service personnel and their families are supported not just in policy, but in practice.
- Employ at least one member of the Armed Forces community (such as a veteran, reservist or military spouse).
- Actively communicate and uphold a positive stance on defence engagement within their workforce.
- Show flexibility for annual training and mobilisation commitments for reservists.
For more details, you can visit the official ERS page.
Why This Matters to John Pipe International
As a company that has long supported defence clients – including handling complex and time-sensitive exports for the MOD and defence contractors – our connection to the military community runs deep. But our support isn’t just through our services; it’s part of who we are.
We recognise the invaluable skills, dedication and discipline that Armed Forces personnel bring to the workplace. By actively supporting current and former service members, we’re helping to ensure they’re given fair opportunities and feel welcomed, respected and valued as part of our team.
This Silver Award is a sign of our progress – from our initial commitment at Bronze level to now embedding support for defence into our culture, practices and recruitment. And we’re not stopping here. Our aim is to keep building on this momentum, with a view to achieving Gold status in the future.
A Thank You to Our Team and the Defence Community
This award wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our team, who continue to uphold our values and commitment to supporting defence. We also extend a sincere thank you to Wessex RFCA for their ongoing guidance and support throughout this journey.
Looking Ahead
John Pipe International remains dedicated to doing our part for the Armed Forces community. Whether that’s through our employment practices, flexible working policies, or ongoing outreach and partnerships, we’re proud to stand with those who serve.
FAQs
What does the Silver Award mean for John Pipe International?
The Silver level in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme shows John Pipe not only signed the Covenant, but also genuinely supports the Armed Forces community. It confirms that reservists get flexibility for training, at least one Defence community member is employed, and supportive policies are clearly communicated to all staff.
How does the Armed Forces Covenant benefit employees and their families?
By signing the Covenant, John Pipe ensures reservists and military families aren’t disadvantaged. This means fair recruitment, extra leave for training, and understanding around deployments. It reassures veterans, spouses, and reservists that their service is valued in the workplace.
Will John Pipe aim for the Gold Award next?
Absolutely. After earning Bronze and now Silver, John Pipe is committed to further embedding Defence community support across the organisation. The next goal is Gold, which requires even deeper engagement, like ongoing partnerships, active reservist advocacy, and wider recruitment efforts.