Veterans and military personnel who apply for a job with a Cumbrian council will get a guaranteed interview.
Westmorland and Furness Council said those with a service record who met its jobs’ criteria would be offered an interview to help support their transition to civilian jobs.
The authority, which signed the Armed Forces Covenant in June 2023, said it had a commitment to fair support for armed forces members, veterans and their families.
The covenant recognises the sacrifices of serving personnel, veterans, reserve forces and military families.
The council’s dedication to supporting the armed forces has been recognised with the prestigious Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.
One veteran who successfully secured a role through the scheme was Chris Grant.
He retired from the British Army in February as a Warrant Officer Class One after serving a full career in the Royal Signals and completed multiple operational deployments around the world.
Now, he is ICT and cyber security manager at the council. He said: “The Guaranteed Interview Scheme was a real confidence boost as the majority of my working life has been in the military and therefore my experience of applying for roles was limited.
“It was a comfort to know that as long as I met the essential criteria for the role, I would get the opportunity to interview and receive feedback regardless of success.”
Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We are immensely proud of our armed forces and recognise the challenges they face when moving into civilian life.
“The Guaranteed Interview Scheme ensures that military personnel and veterans have access to opportunities where their skills and experience are valued. While the scheme does not guarantee a job, it does provide a platform for them to showcase their talents and potential.”
