This Green Careers Week (6-10th November 2023) we are spotlighting Centrica, who are leading the way in hiring, training and promoting sustainable roles, across the Armed Forces community through the Ex-Forces Pathway. Read on to learn how.
As a FTSE 100 Energy Services and Solutions company, Centrica wants to create a more inclusive and sustainable future that supports our people, communities, and our customers, uniting all towards a common purpose. And for our planet, we have bold goals to fight climate change, lead the UK’s drive towards Net Zero and kickstart the hydrogen economy. Whilst these ambitions provide great opportunities for us all, we know they’ll also be challenging. We’ll need to create thousands of high-quality, inclusive, green jobs to deliver our purpose and allow society to live sustainably, simply, and affordably.
To do this, it’s crucial we engage with and tap into diversity of experience, a wide range of talent and inspirational leadership; Centrica and its Ex-Forces Pathway knows all of this exists in spades right across the Armed Forces community. That’s why we set up our Forces Pathway in April 2022, with the initial aim of hiring a Net Zero Battalion. We want to engage and attract individuals from right across the Armed Forces community; Service Leavers, Veterans, Reservists, Military Spouses and Partners – junior to senior hire. We know the market for recruiting ex-forces has become increasingly competitive, and Centrica wants to use our extensive heritage of delivering world-class training alongside dedicated support to bring on board the talent required to deliver our Net Zero plans. So far, we’ve hired over 210 talented individuals from the Armed Forces community, with roles ranging from Smart Energy Apprentice, Offshore Supervisor, Project Manager, Heating Sales Advisor, newly qualified Gas Engineer, to Regional Director British Gas Zero. We’re also a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and this year, we heard our application for the 2023 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award has been successful, which we’re delighted about.
Our Forces Pathway directly supports Centrica’s People and Planet goals. As an Energy company we know we have a huge opportunity to tap into the talent of underrepresented groups to help us deliver a greener and more inclusive future. For example, our Forces Pathway is supporting the hiring of apprentices, while removing roadblocks for under-represented groups. We want to play our part in creating engaged teams within Centrica that reflect the full diversity of the communities our business serves; and if we can support every colleague to be themselves, this ultimately benefits our customers and communities.
Centrica Forces Pathway also works with military charities that specialise in supporting the transition to life after service, as well as service and regimental associations and ex-forces networks. Indeed, we were thrilled to be the Headline Sponsor of Forces Employment Charity’s annual Women into Employment event this year!
Via our continued partnership with organisations like the Forces Employment Charity, Centrica will continue to shine a light on the Armed Forces community, celebrating and championing their vast and varied talents – now and in the future.
“As a Veteran in Centrica, I feel valued, empowered, and inspired. I have found my new home and I couldn’t be happier.”
Claire Charlesworth, ex-Royal Logistics Officer now a Net Zero Commercial Analyst
