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Armed Forces service leavers, reservists, veterans and their spouses are to be guaranteed interviews for Caerphilly County Borough Council vacancies, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role, in the latest move by the council to demonstrate its support for the Armed Forces community.
 
Cabinet Members today (Wednesday 10^th July) unanimously endorsed the proposal, which will also see the council work with the Career Transition Partnership, a no cost recruitment service for organisations seeking highly motivated and experienced veterans who are leaving the Armed Forces, when recruiting.
 
Cllr Colin Gordon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services said, “We know the majority of service leavers settle back into civilian life effectively, using the wide variety of skills developed through their time in the Armed Forces to have successful careers after leaving the services, but sadly this isn’t always the case. As a council, and as a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are keen to reaffirm our commitment and support for the Armed Forces community, and implementing the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, where the essential criteria for council vacancies are met, is one way we’re able to do this”.
 
There are currently estimated to be 385,000 members of the Armed Forces community in Wales – equating to around 12% of the population. 14,700 people left the UK Regular Armed Forces in 2018 and it’s estimated that around 3,000 settled in Wales.
 
Cllr Andrew Whitcombe, the council’s Armed Forces Champion added, “The Guaranteed Interview Scheme demonstrates a real show of support for the Armed Forces community, and honours the spirit of the Armed Forces Covenant, which Caerphilly signed up to in 2013”.
 
The Armed Forces Covenant, which was launched by the UK Government in 2011, places an expectation on signatories that they will ensure the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged as a result of their service. Caerphilly County Borough Council is the lead organisation in delivering on the Armed Forces Covenant at a local level, with the Caerphilly Armed Forces Forum, comprised of statutory and third sector organisations, the delivery body.
 
The council is currently also a holder of the Silver level for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is awarded to employers (including local authorities) that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community, and inspire others to do the same.
 
The Guaranteed Interview Scheme doesn’t guarantee appointment to a vacant position – selection procedures still ensure the best candidate for the position is appointed.
 
For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant in Caerphilly county borough, please visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/armedforces