South Kesteven District Council is calling on local companies to follow its lead in recruiting ex-military personnel.
Sixteen former Armed Forces individuals, mainly from the Army, now play key roles in the council’s waste and recycling and Street Scene teams.
They have transferred valuable skills developed from service with the Royal Logistics Corps, Infantry regiments, Royal Anglian Regiment and the Armoured Corps.
Others served with the RAF and the RAF Regiment, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and even the Household Cavalry. Service has included tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland.
Two members of the council’s keen-eyed and effective CCTV team are also ex-Army – the Royal Artillery and the Grenadier Guards – and the council’s head of economic development is from an Armed Forces background.
Cameron Greene now applies service skills developed with the Army’s Royal Engineers to managing the council’s Street Scene operation.
He said: “We now have nine ex-military on the Street Scene team, all dedicated to getting the job done as they used to do for the Armed Forces.
“In many ways the council suits those who have served in the military. There is a clearly defined structure, opportunities to progress and a great team spirit.”
Waste team HGV driver Cheryl Miller served with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
She said: “I drove Land Rovers, armoured personnel vehicles and Bedford four-tonners. I have always been a driver and have been able to transfer those skills.”
Cheryl, who initially gained her HGV licence to drive her family’s American motor home, joined SKDC during the Covid pandemic.
“My husband had an accident and I needed to work,” she said. “The Council needed drivers, I applied and here I am. I love the job!”
Another HGV driver, Mick Toms, served with the Royal Engineers. “I was in engineering after coming out of the forces but then went back into driving and this role really suits me.”
Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren, SKDC’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Military personnel possess a wealth of transferable skills capable of enhancing any organisation.
“As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and holders of the Ministry Defence Employers Recognition Scheme, we are extremely proud to have so many military veterans working for the council.
“I would urge any company looking to recruit at any level to take a close look at employing ex-services personnel. There are really helpful employment websites supporting any company or organisation that signs the Armed Forces Covenant as a pledge to support defence.”
Employers can also claim National Insurance contributions relief if employing a veteran in their first year post-service.
Further reading:
www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk
www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme