Platinum Facilities is proud to support our Armed Forces and we hold the Bronze Employer Recognition Scheme Award. We support our staff who are members of the Reserve forces by providing additional paid time off work to ensure they can attend their training.
Today is Reserves Day and we celebrate and thank our Reservists who give up their time to serve. We spoke to our Contract Manager, Edd Cole, who told us about his experiences of being a member of the Reserve Forces.
“I am very proud to be able to say that I serve my country and its not about getting dressed up in a uniform and running around a field all day! My commitment to being a reservist is to complete 27 days a year, which is normally done at weekends, but some needs to be done during the week, as part of it must be is blocks of 3 days or more.
I am employed in the RAF as a ground electrician at RAF Benson on 606 Sqn and I am required to service all of the ground equipment used on the aircraft and around the airfield. I am also required to set up any deployments that may occur, which involves all of the design and testing of any kit that would be needed. This is great as I get to travel to different places and it keeps my electrical skills fresh. In the last year, I have been to many areas of the country, and will even go abroad if required.
This is a great thing to do and I am very proud to be a Reservist. It is not all work and no play, as we take part in different social and sporting events. I have had the privilege to walk out on the pitch at Wembley carrying a flag in front of 60,000 spectators at the Community Shield and the FA Cup Final, as well as some England World Cup qualifiers.
Platinum Facilities is very supportive as they allow me additional leave on top of my annual entitlement. In return, the RAF provides training in useful skills including First Aid, Testing and Inspection, and 18th Edition IEE regs which is good for the company. As my work also involves working on vehicles, I need to be able to drive them for testing and the RAF have offered to support me completing my HGV license.
I would encourage anyone who considers joining the reserves. It’s hard, rewarding work and if you wish to do something completely different to your day job there are lots of different trades to apply for, including running around in a field!!