Laing O’Rourke re-signs Armed Forces Covenant continuing support to the UK military
24.05.23Laing O’Rourke re-signs the Armed Forces Covenant renewing its commitment to veterans, reservists, and military families.
On Wednesday 24 May, Cathal O’Rourke, Laing O’Rourke Group Chief Operating Officer, and Commodore Robert Bellfield, signed the covenant at a Ministry of Defence event aboard the HMS President, witnessed by Laing O’Rourke’s Australian General Manager for Defence, Major General Roger Noble.
Laing O’Rourke is an armed forces friendly organisation with a long-standing history of support to the armed forces community, specifically employment, and transition to employment opportunities. Working in partnership with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS), and other service leaver recruitment opportunities, they will continue to build meaningful careers for military personnel within the construction industry.
We are proud to have re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant, re-affirming our pledge to uphold its principles of supporting those who have served and their families, including through the employment of veterans and support to reservists and military families.
Cathal O’Rourke, Laing O’Rourke Group Chief Operating Officer, said:
“As a leading construction and engineering enterprise, our support is best served by providing employment and transition to employment opportunities to reservists, veterans, and their families. Our long-standing support to military and ex-military communities was recognised when we first signed the Covenant in 2015, and we were proud to become Gold Award holders of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, a status that was renewed last year. With more than 500 veterans and reservists currently working across our projects, factories, and offices we recognise that armed forces personnel have a significant transferable skillset, ideal for the construction industry, and look forward to continuing to work with the Ministry of Defence and its partners to build meaningful career opportunities.”
Commodore Robert Bellfield, said:
"Laing O'Rourke has been a long-standing supporter of the armed forces community and I'm pleased to see this continue with today's re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant.
"Laing O'Rourke is committed to supporting armed forces personnel into employment and recognises the transferable skill set they bring to the construction industry.
"We look forward to continuing to work with them going forward to build meaningful careers and help our veterans, reservists, and military families thrive.”
Laing O’Rourke was awarded gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) in 2017 and 2022. The ERS Gold Awards recognise employers who actively support the Armed Forces community in their workplace and encourage others to follow their lead. It’s the highest badge of honour for organisations which have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrated outstanding support for those who serve and have served.