An East Midlands rail maintenance firm has been praised for its support for the armed forces and for going “above and beyond” to support those who put their lives on the line.
Wing Commander Kerstie Wright, air regional employer engagement officer for the East Midlands for the Royal Air Force, paid tribute to the company, MTMS, when she visited its HQ in Moira, Leicestershire, to discuss how it could recruit and support more armed forces reservists to its team.
MTMS has a long history of recruiting veterans and reservists, thanks to the invaluable qualities that they bring, including problem-solving and communication skills and their willingness to work unsociable hours.
It has also been awarded Silver Defence Employer Recognition status for its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a nationwide pledge to acknowledge and understand the need to treat current and former members of the armed forces and their families with fairness and respect.
Kerstie, who toured the company’s building and met its group chairman, Malcolm Prentice, and strategic lead Bruce Spencer, praised the dedication that the company has shown to employing veterans and its willingness to add reservists to its 32-strong workforce.
She said: “It’s really inspiring what I’ve seen here with all the work that MTMS has been doing to employ veterans, support cadets and encourage reservists.
“Its commitment goes way beyond the normal.”
Last year MTMS pledged to give 15 days’ paid leave for any reservists working at the firm, six days’ paid leave for cadet force adult volunteers and two days’ leave for any spouses of serving personnel.
Malcolm said: “It’s refreshing to find someone with such a passionate and open view on the reservist network. I am sure that with her involvement we will work together to try to find employment for the reservists – if not within our business, then in the industry.
“Those who work in the armed forces bring with them a wide range of qualities from their days in service which can be transferred to our industry. This industry does involve working independently and unsociable hours as well as being away from home – all something that they are used to.
“We also desperately believe that if the women and men are out there putting their lives on the line for King and country then we are obliged to support them when they return to civvy street.
“It is our duty to give reservists the support they need to balance their careers with their service commitments.”
Bruce has dedicated most of his working career to the Army as both a regular and reserve officer. He travelled the world for 38 years after first being commissioned into the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters.
During his Army career the places he served include Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia to name just a few. He transferred to the Adjutant General’s Corps in the 90’s where one of his roles included Military Attache in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Bruce said the meeting with Kerstie was an opportunity for them to find out more about the RAF reservists and what they can bring to a team as well as how “recruitment can be optimised”.
The British Army states that reservists are good for the reputation of a company, have leadership skills, transferable training, confident and make resilient, resourceful and successful employees.
MTMS currently services and maintains rolling stock and specialist equipment, as well as carrying a broad range of infrastructure projects, at more than a half of the UK’s rail depots, with its central location in Moira helping it to serve customers as far afield as Penzance and Aberdeen.
MTMS serves familiar names in mainline rail such as Govia ThamesLink Railway, Arriva and Siemens.
This story was written and shared on behalf of MTMS by Jenny Moody. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
