Why Our Silver ERS Award Matters to the Communities We Work In
Achieving the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award is something we are extremely proud of, not just because of what it says about us as an employer, but because of what it means for the wider communities we work in every day. The Armed Forces Covenant explains that members of the Armed Forces community bring valuable transferable skills and experience to employers across the UK, and that becoming a forces-friendly employer is a smart business decision. The Silver award recognises employers who go above and beyond their Covenant pledges in supporting the Armed Forces community.
As Shirley Young, our Head of Talent Acquisition and Social Value, said:
“We are extremely proud to have achieved the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme award. At Paragon Traffic Management, we recognise the valuable contribution that serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families make to both our business and the wider community. This award demonstrates our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community through inclusive recruitment practices, workplace support and opportunities for career development.”
For us, that is where the real value sits. This is not only about recognition. It is about supporting people, strengthening communities and creating meaningful opportunities for those connected to the Armed Forces.
Social Value That Reaches Beyond the Business
As a business, we work in communities every day. That means we believe our responsibilities should go beyond the worksite itself. Supporting serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families helps create stronger local employment pathways and gives people the chance to continue building careers where their skills, mindset and experience are recognised and valued. The Armed Forces Covenant also highlights the importance of fair treatment and flexibility, including for spouses and partners, whose circumstances can be directly affected by military life.
That matters to us because social value should be practical. It should mean giving people a genuine opportunity, helping remove barriers to work and contributing positively to the communities we operate in.
Why This Matters to Paragon
We are a people-led business, so this kind of commitment fits naturally with who we are. We believe in opening doors, backing potential and creating environments where people can grow and succeed. Achieving the Silver ERS award reflects that approach and strengthens the wider culture we are trying to build across the business.
It also aligns with the type of wider support the Armed Forces Covenant promotes, including access to the Career Transition Partnership, the Forces Employment Charity, Defence Relationship Management support, and employer guidance on hiring veterans and supporting reservists. These resources help businesses of all sizes play a positive role in helping the Armed Forces community transition into civilian careers and long-term employment.
Supporting Communities Through Opportunity
For us, the real impact of this award is in the opportunities it helps create. When businesses support the Armed Forces community properly, the benefit is not limited to the workplace. It extends into families, local economies and the wider community. Meaningful work, career progression and workplace support all contribute to stronger, more stable communities.
That is why this award matters beyond the business itself. It is part of our wider social value commitment and part of how we want to contribute in the areas we work in.
Want to Learn More or Get Involved?
If you are a business that wants to learn more about becoming a forces-friendly employer, the Armed Forces Covenant has a dedicated employer support page with information on the ERS, Career Transition Partnership, Defence Relationship Management and more.
You can learn more here:
Employing members of the Armed Forces community
Employer Recognition Scheme guidance
Career Transition Partnership
Forces Employment Charity
If you are an individual from the Armed Forces community, or a company wanting to better understand how to support serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families, these are brilliant places to start. We would encourage anyone interested to take a look and explore how they can contribute to such an important cause.
At Paragon, we are proud to be playing our part, and we look forward to continuing that commitment in the communities we serve.
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