ChamberForce

A few of the many benefits are:

• Access to highly-skilled Service Leavers, Reservists and Veterans to strengthen your workforce either as employees, or on temporary work placements.
• FREE leadership and teamwork training for your staff via a range of military-led activities and challenges. From half day workshops at your place of work, to a full weekend on a training exercise, these activities will develop your staff’s confidence, decision-making and resilience.
• Exclusive invitations to key networking events across the UK, including Land and Air Power Combat Demonstrations, Royal Navy ship visits and sea passages, Military Ceremonial Events and Tri-Service employer visits.
• Fully funded trips overseas with your Reservist employees on exercise during summer or cold weather operations, and a chance to discuss management and leadership strategies.
• FREE media and communications support to raise the profile of your business as an Armed Forces friendly employer across national business networks.

Reservists make up around one sixth of all Armed Forces personnel and as such play a vital role in protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas. 

June 26 2019 was Reserves Day – the day Reservists can wear their uniform to work – and we paid tribute to their hard work and dedication. After all, it’s not easy holding down two careers.

On the day Major General Ranald Munro CBE TD VR, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets), said: “Today is a special day in the Defence calendar. Reserves Day allows us to celebrate and thank Reservists and their employers for their immense contribution.

“Reservists are key to the defence of our nation. They are an integral part of our Armed Forces. They sacrifice their spare time to train so as to be able to support the Regular Forces on a wide range of tasks, including at times of crisis at home and abroad. In today’s complex and unpredictable global security environment they ensure the nation can remain resilient against a myriad of threats. Every organisation, big or small, can make a difference in supporting Reserve service. I invite all businesses and organisations to join the 2500 other employers who have made the Armed Forces Covenant a priority and are standing firmly behind our Reservists.”

Scott Sykes (33) lives in Dundee with his wife and one-year-old son and is a Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR).

Scott is a Civil Engineer specialising in bridges and works as a Bridge Engineer for BEAR Scotland Ltd.

He began his Reservist career with the Royal Naval Reserve in October 2017 as an Officer Cadet joining HMS Scotia based in HMS Caledonia, Rosyth.

Currently, as a Junior Officer Scott is progressing through the General Warfare – Submarine Operations (SM Ops) specialisation training pipeline; ultimately to qualify as a Deputy Submarine Controller (DSC).