SLC – an infrastructure development and delivery specialist – has strengthened its commitment to the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Covenant, signed at a Services-themed pre-match Lunch hosted by Kenilworth Rugby Football Club on Remembrance weekend, along with other businesses, formalises SLC’s pledge to ensure that
serving personnel, service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families are treated with fairness, respect and opportunity in both the workplace and wider society.
Paul Fountaine, Director at SLC, said: “As a business that helps clients make infrastructure projects happen, including within the defence sector, we greatly value the expertise, dedication and leadership that members of the Armed Forces community bring to our team and our projects.”
Although an SME, many of SLC’s employees have served in the Armed Forces or continue to serve as reservists, so this is the next step for this forces-friendly employer.
Paul added: “As a veteran myself, I know how important it is for service leavers to find organisations that understand and appreciate the unique skills we bring. We are proud to offer a workplace where everyone can thrive and signing the Armed Forces Covenant further demonstrates that commitment.”
By signing the Covenant, SLC has also pledged to support its reservist employees by accommodating their training and mobilisation commitments. The reserve forces play a vital role in the UK’s defence capability, with around 30,000 trained reservists across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force representing nearly 15% of the nation’s military strength. This is why SLC provides dedicated leave for reservist training and exercises to help sustain that capability.
Putting this commitment to use is John Donaghy, SLC’s Human Centred Design Lead, who recently took part in a two-week NATO exercise in the United States as a reserve Sapper with 507 Specialist Team Royal Engineers. 507 STRE is a nationally recruited reserve unit that provides railway infrastructure expertise to the Army, delivering real projects that contribute to national defence. The annual training exercise allowed John the opportunity to return to fundamental engineering principles and gain hands-on delivery experience.
John said: “It is fantastic to see SLC signing the Covenant and showing support for the Armed Forces. Across the Royal Engineers, we work on infrastructure projects from rail, ports and airports to water, civils and structural works. The skills and leadership experience I have gained through the reserve service directly strengthen my ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects for our clients.”
For more information about SLC, visit www.slcrail.com
