An educational charity has been officially recognised by the Government for its commitment to the country’s Armed Forces.
Deflog VQ Trust is one of the first organisations in the country to be presented with a Silver Award under the new Employer Recognition Scheme for supporting the Reserve Forces.
Based in Beverley, the trust delivers Apprenticeships to the military and supports members of its workforce who are in the Reserves by giving them time off to serve their country.
The award comes after the trust’s deputy chief executive was honoured for his work in setting up military academies in Baghdad and Kabul.
Earlier this year, Maurice Sheen, who is a Brigadier in the Reserve Forces, was awarded a CBE by The Queen, as well as a Bronze Star Medal by the US President Barack Obama, in recognition of his work in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Paul Downey, chief executive of Deflog VQ Trust and TIR Training, said: “It’s a real honour to receive this award.
“Through our close links with the military we understand how important it is that employers support the Reserve Forces. Many of our staff are ex-military and we have a number of people serving in the Reserves. As a business, we definitely benefit from the transfer of skills, so it’s good to give something back.”
To qualify for the Silver Award, employers must employ at least one Reservist.
Mr Downey added: “We have a policy that, if someone is a Reservist, they can have 10 days paid leave every year to go on exercise.
“We are really proud of Maurice and what he does to help the Armed Forces and I find it rewarding that we can support him to have such a huge impact for the British Military.”
Deflog VQ Trust was one of just 10 employers to be presented with the award by the The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) in Yorkshire and The Humber.
The others were ASDA, Continental Data Graphics, Footprint Sheffield, Hull City Council, Mamas & Papas, Shield Security Services, Snugpak, William Jackson Food Group and York Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Downey was presented with the award by the UK’s most senior reservist, Major General John Crackett, Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff for Reserves and Cadets, at a ceremony at Imphal Barracks in York.
The trust already had the Bronze award, which was applied for and awarded in 2013 after it completed a covenant to state it is an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.
It was nominated for the Silver Award by Richard Lenton, Regional Campaign Director for SaBRE, which provides information and support to organisations employing reservists on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Trained to a high standard, reservists serve in the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marines, the Army Reserve and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and can be mobilised wherever needed to work alongside Britain’s regular Armed Forces.
Major General Crackett said: “I am delighted to present the first organisations in the country with their Silver Awards and celebrate the tremendous levels of support they give to the reserve forces, and in particular their understanding that reservists are a great asset to their workforce.
“I look forward to seeing many more organisations in the region being recognised through this scheme.”
