Heliguy Wins Armed Forces Talent Award

• heliguy™ wins the Excellence In Supporting Armed Forces Talent award;

• The honour was presented at the CIPD North East of England HR&D Awards; 

• The prize recognises the work that heliguy™ does to engage with and support the Armed Forces community; 

• heliguy™ is an employer of ex-military personnel, including members of the in-house training team;

• The company has also received the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, pledged support to the Armed Forces Covenant, and is an Enhanced Learning Credits training provider to help servicemen and women through the move to civilian life. 

heliguy™ has won the Excellence In Supporting Armed Forces Talent prize at the CIPD North East of England HR&D Awards.

The honour, presented last night, recognises the work that heliguy™ does to  engage with and support the Armed Forces community through employment opportunities and development.

As an Armed Forces advocate, heliguy™'s in-house training team consists of five ex-Forces personnel; the company has received the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (recognising us as a Forces-friendly employer); and has pledged its support to the Armed Forces Covenant. It is also an Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) training provider.

Ben Shirley, Head of Training Development and a former member of the British Army and Royal Military Police, said: "It is an honour and a privilege for heliguy™ to receive this award which endorses the company's support to the Armed Forces.

"A significant number of veterans are employed by heliguy™ because the company recognises the benefits this brings, with former Forces personnel possessing a wealth of transferable skills and experience which benefit our clients, training candidates, internal operations and the drone industry as a whole.

"It is crucial that ex-servicemen and women are supported in their move across to civilian life and I am proud to belong to a company which offers a strong platform to enable members of the military community to thrive." 

As well as Ben's military background...

...fellow heliguy™ training team colleagues Mark Blaney, Faye Ashton, Martin Young and Danny Burt all have an association with the Armed Forces.

Mark (Head of Training) served in the British Army for seven years. As a UAV operator, he deployed the H450 during tours of Afghanistan in 2010 and 2012...

...Faye (Training Administrator), who used to be the heliguy™ warehouse and logistics manager before joining the training team, has seven-and-a-half years of experience in the Royal Navy, deploying around the world, including in the Gulf States and the Mediterranean...

...Martin spent a decade in the Royal Navy flying planes and helicopters, including the Merlin Mk3...

...and Danny Burt joined the British Army in 1998, serving in Kosovo, Bosnia, and Iraq. He has also passed the demanding RAF Typhoon Weapons Instructors Course, published multiple books on military history and holds an MSc in Typhoon capability.

heliguy™ actively recruits Armed Forces personnel through the use of CTP RightJob, Forces Families Jobs portals and direct interaction, and the company's veteran employees have a dedicated Armed Forces Representative to assist with personal and professional matters, welfare, and careers advice.

To further support Armed Forces personnel, heliguy™ is an approved Enhanced Learning Credits training provider for the delivery of Level 4 and Level 5 (UAS Operations Manager) regulated qualifications. 

heliguy™ is also aspiring to achieve the Employer Recognition Scheme's Silver award in 2022. 

In its 15th year, the CIPD North East of England HR&D Awards showcase and applaud the excellent HR&D practices in the region. The winners were announced at a Black Tie Celebration Event at The Fed, in Gateshead.