Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced today it received an award from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for its support and commitment to the U.K. Armed Forces. The award is part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), which recognises organisations that demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and have values aligned with the U.K. Armed Forces Covenant.
Attending the ERS Silver Awards 2016 aboard HMS Victory in Portsmouth, Jacobs Vice President Business Development, Aerospace and Technology, David Ellis stated, “Jacobs has supported the MOD for more than 30 years, and we have a close appreciation for the contribution our servicemen and women make to the U.K.’s defence and security. We have a number of reservists and ex-forces personnel at Jacobs who contribute key skills, knowledge and unique perspectives to our business and client challenges. I am extremely proud of the work they do and delighted Jacobs is recognised for its commitment to supporting the U.K. Armed Forces.”
Jacobs employs many veterans and reservists across its global business, and has a number of initiatives in place to support the U.K. Armed Forces community. These include supporting employees’ annual reservist training and commitments, reservist forums to share experiences, and providing support to the Royal Engineers through secondment opportunities, seminars and career advice. The company also organises various recruiting activities specifically for veterans, and works with the U.K. Officers Association and Career Transition Partnership to build a talent pipeline and encourage early service leavers to participate in its internal apprenticeship schemes.
Brigadier (Retd) Martin Boswell (late Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) joined Jacobs in 2014 and works in the company’s U.K. Defence team. “From my own experience Jacobs offers excellent opportunities for defence service personnel,” he said. “The breadth of meaningful work means these personnel can make lasting contributions as they develop and grow a second career.
“Jacobs has very similar values to the Services, and this can help service people as they transition. Both Jacobs and the Services appreciate the importance of developing and sustaining strong relationships; investing time, working to truly understand each individual, retaining that accumulated knowledge and passing it forward, and adding value every time.”
Lt. Col. Bruce Snelling (Royal Engineers), a project manager with Jacobs’ Global Aviation team adds, “As a reservist of 16 years with Jacobs, I’ve valued the company’s support and flexibility towards my annual training and mobilisation. The values and breadth of skills and experience I have acquired as a reservist have benefited my civilian career at Jacobs.”
Jacobs is one of the world's largest and most diverse providers of full-spectrum technical, professional and construction services for industrial, commercial and government organizations globally. The company employs 60,000 people and operates in more than 30 countries around the world. In the U.K., Jacobs works on major infrastructure projects in rail, roads, water and aviation, as well as sectors such as oil and gas, refining, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, power, nuclear, defence and buildings. Jacobs employs some of the U.K.’s most experienced technical and professional services practitioners and has grown to more than 8,000 people at locations across the country. The company also employs more than 900 graduates, technicians and apprentices, who are currently completing training and development programmes in the U.K. For more information, visit www.jacobs.com.
Photo caption:
Dave Ellis receiving the award from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mr Nigel Atkinson, accompanied by Flag Officer Reserves & Naval Secretary, Rear Admiral Simon Williams and Director Army Reserves, Major General John Crackett.