Jaguar Land Rover and National Express' help for veterans praised by Prime Minister David Cameron
Two West Midland-based employers have been praised by Prime Minister David Cameron for their work toward helping military veterans get back into work.
Jaguar Land Rover and National Express were presented gold awards as part of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme at a ceremony last Thursday.
The firms encourage the recruitment of Armed Forces personnel, spouses and veterans while also giving reservists the chance to fulfil their annual training.
Mr Cameron, who welcomed the firms to the ceremony, said: "It was my privilege to welcome 15 gold award winners to Number 10 Downing Street.
"They were not sporting stars, pop idols or film icons but outstanding organisations from the public and private sector who are proud to support our Armed Forces and their families.
"These organisations include major West Midlands employers Jaguar Land Rover and National Express – and I am proud of what they're achieving.
"They are giving reservist employees time to train, helping veterans into work and offering job support for injured servicemen and women."
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon presented the gold award to JLR, which has a engine manufacturing plant at the i54 site in Wolverhampton, and National Express, which runs services from Wolverhampton throughout the UK, for its active support of the Armed Forces community.
Mr Fallon said "The support from these organisations is making a real difference to our Armed Forces community.
"They are ensuring that the men and women who have done, and continue to do, so much for our nation are treated fairly.
"Whether allowing reservists the time to train, providing jobs or supporting veterans and spouses, these companies embody what the Armed Forces Covenant is about. I am delighted to thank them for their unwavering support."
JLR employs 1,000 people at its i54 site.
JLR chief executive Dr Ralf Speth, accepted the award on behalf of the company and was joined by Matthew Malley, one of the 200 ex-service personnel hired by the automotive manufacturer since 2013.
Mr Malley said: "I was wounded in action and subsequently medically discharged during my second operational tour in Afghanistan.
"I was then told my army career was over, which for me was my life.
"After a month-long specially-tailored work placement at Jaguar Land Rover, I got a job with their site services, where I fit right in.
"I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome."
Dr Speth said "We at Jaguar Land Rover are immensely proud to have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and to be recognised through this award.
"Service leavers are an excellent talent pool for Jaguar Land Rover and our supply chain, with skills that are transferable to an advanced manufacturing environment.
"We believe that there is a close alignment between our company's own values and attitudes and the unstoppable persistence of Armed Forces veterans."
Duane Porteous, now a coach driver for National Express, was a private in the Royal Logistic Corps.
He said "I am tremendously proud to work for National Express, which really gets behind the Armed Forces community.
"It is fantastic to work for a company that publicly flies the flag for the Armed Forces and recognises the contribution they make."
