Kinly, the global provider of AV integration and collaboration services and support, is delighted to announce it has become the first AV company to be awarded the Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant Gold award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, 2024.
Last year, we also became the first company in our industry to pick up the Silver award. Since, we have continued to show our support for ex-Forces personnel by providing routes into a brand-new industry where their skills can shine and partnering with local organisations to further demonstrate our commitment.
To receive the Gold award, we had to be nominated by a third party. We were also required to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, proactively support ex-Forces personnel in our recruitment and selection process and display advocacy for the Armed Forces community.
In addition, business awarded Gold status needed to provide Forces leavers with additional paid days off for training, show support for the Cadets movement and encourage a positive working environment through Forces-friendly policies.
Kinly’s commitment to the Forces is underpinned by our thriving Veteran’s Programme, headed by our Project Delivery Director and former member of the Parachute Regiment, Justin Paveley. The Programme has welcomed four new recruits this year alone and is specifically designed to enable ex-Forces personnel to seamlessly transition out of the military into a rewarding career in AV through a 52-week syllabus, culminating in full-time engineering roles.
Additionally, we have announced a partnership with 862 Sunbury Squadron RAF Air Cadets. The partnership sees Kinly support Cadets with advice on joining the Forces, careers guidance and charity work. In addition, we will soon be visiting its premises to help design and install AV systems that will support communications and training.
We recently welcomed our first tranche of Cadets to our Sunbury office. Over the course of an evening, Cadets were given a tour of the Kinly factory and participated in learning sessions on all things AV. We are now looking forward to welcoming the second tranche of cadets to Kinly and will also be marching alongside 862 Sunbury Squadron in this years’ Remembrance Day proceedings.
Justin Paveley, Project Delivery Director, Kinly, said:
“Working towards Gold status has been something we have been striving for over the past 12-months and I’m exceptionally pleased and excited that we’ve been successful in our efforts. This achievement reflects our commitment to the values of the Armed Forces community, demonstrating our dedication to creating a workplace culture that recognises and supports the unique skills and experiences that veterans can bring to our team.
We hope that other businesses in our industry, and beyond, now follow suit and recognise the value that can be unlocked by harnessing the transferrable skillsets and mindsets of ex-Forces personnel.”
