Tune in and watch the highways team in Plymouth feature in Alex Polizzi: Hire our Heroes, a brand new documentary series on BBC2, starting on Friday 11 December at 9pm, for two weeks.
The series follows Alex Polizzi, known for programmes such as The Hotel Inspector, as she understands some of the difficulties ex-service personnel face when trying to get back into work. Alex also meets with a variety of organisations and charities who are actively encouraging ex-service personnel to work with them, and develop new skills to start a new career after leaving the armed forces.
As an organisation which has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, the film crew spent time with Amey to understand what the organisation is doing to support the Covenant both nationally and locally. One of the ex-service personnel featured on the programme also spent a few days working with a highways maintenance gang, learning new skills out on the roads.
Paul Anderson, Account Manager for Amey in Plymouth, said: “Military veterans are 60% more likely to be unemployed than their civilian counterparts and it was difficult to hear some of their personal experiences of the struggles they’ve had. It was a privilege to take part in the programme and demonstrate Amey’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and supporting ex-service personnel back into work.”
The programme looks to encourage military veterans, who are currently unemployed, into work and for employers to recognise highly skilled military skillsets have a place in their organisation. In the first episode, Alex hears the personal tales of four veterans and how psychological injuries can severely affect self-confidence at the same time when employment could dramatically aid their recovery. The programme seeks to build the confidence of these individuals back into employment.
‘Alex Polizzi: Hire our Heroes’ was filmed by Two Four Productions – an international award winning factual, features and entertainment television producer. They are behind TV programmes such as Harry’s South Pole Heroes and Royal Marines Commando School.