An advocate of achieving a diverse and inclusive culture, Finning UK & Ireland, the world's largest dealer of Cat machines, parts and services, is proudly behind the national effort to offer support to the armed forces, reservists, veterans and military families. The company is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and holds the prestigious Gold Covenant ERS award for employers that provide exceptional support to the Armed Forces community, providing a fair and equal chance for prospective employees from military backgrounds, as well as ensuring there is an appropriate provision for the injured and bereaved.
As part of this commitment Finning have also pledged to help support the employment of veterans by establishing links with a career transition partner to attract ex-military talent into their business.
Tim Ballard, GM Retail and Marketing at Finning says: "We are dedicated to supporting the armed forces and our colleagues. At Finning, we recognise that veterans bring invaluable skills and experiences, making them a tremendous asset in engineering careers. The expertise gained through military service is highly transferable, and we are proud to see a growing number of former military personnel thriving in their careers with us. Together, we are building an exciting career path for armed forces veterans."
One such person is Chris Clarke, who was employed as a workshop engineer after leaving the armed forces. He now also plays a vital role in recruitment, parts counter training and development and has made great strides in nurturing even stronger links with military.
He said: "As part of the recruitment team, I not only get to work closely with new recruits but also provide support to anyone currently in the armed forces who is looking to pursue a civilian career. My first-hand experience of making this transition certainly helps with the role, and I am proud to work for a company that acknowledges the importance and transferability of the skills gained in military service."
This year, Finning wanted to reflect their ongoing commitment in a highly visible way and tasked their graphics team with creating some statement decals to adorn a Cat 308 and a Cat 313 Excavator. The graphics team worked hard to create images that were both poignant and striking, highlighting the national remembrance theme of service. The images of Royal Navy ships, Airforce planes, poppies and silhouettes of soldiers on the imposing machines highlight the connection between military service and the company's inclusivity ethos.
Tim Ballard concludes: "We hope that as people pass the entrance to our headquarters, the remembrance display offers a moment of reflection and pride, reminding us all that we work in an industry honouring the memory and ongoing service of our military."
