Train Driver Foundation T/A UK Train Driver Academy Ltd
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We Train Driver Foundation T/A UK Train Driver Academy Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 Train Driver Foundation T/A UK Train Driver Academy Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Discounts
- Armed Forces Charities
We also pledge the following:
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Support awareness of careers within the UK rail industry for service leavers and veterans. Employment Support to Members of the Armed Forces Community.
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Recognise military skills, qualifications and operational experience as valuable and transferable into the rail industry.
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Work with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and other Armed Forces employment organisations where appropriate.
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Offer careers guidance, employability support and rail industry insight opportunities to veterans and service leavers.
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Promote CPD and professional development opportunities suitable for military resettlement pathways.
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Support schools, colleges and youth organisations that work with service families and cadets.
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Appoint an Armed Forces Covenant lead within the organisation.
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Ensure members of the Armed Forces Community are treated fairly when accessing our services and training opportunities.
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Offer enhanced guidance and signposting for service leavers seeking careers within rail.
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Seek to ensure our services remain accessible to military families who may relocate frequently due to service commitments.
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Promote rail industry careers to service leavers, reservists and military families.
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Support awareness of transferable skills between the Armed Forces and safety-critical railway operations.
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Develop educational resources and employability pathways specifically tailored toward Armed Forces personnel transitioning into rail careers.
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Support younger members of the Armed Forces community, including cadets and service children, through careers outreach activity.
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Actively support Armed Forces Day and national remembrance activity.
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Encourage a culture of respect and recognition toward the Armed Forces Community.
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Maintain relationships with local Armed Forces and cadet organisations where appropriate.
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Develop a dedicated “Service Leavers into Rail” initiative to support transition into railway careers.
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Seek to progress within the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), beginning with Bronze Award aspirations.
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Continue developing structured pathways aligned to military resettlement support and civilian transition.
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.