Employer Engagement

Employer Recognition Scheme 2021 Expression of Interest window now open

The expression of interest window opened today for employers looking to receive Silver and Gold Award status in 2021 through the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The Employer Recognition Scheme, now in its eighth year, recognises those companies that support the Armed Forces community by proactively demonstrating a forces-friendly approach as part of their recruitment process. Silver and Gold employers are…

West Midlands Employers celebrated with virtual event for support to Armed Forces

Twenty-two organisations from across the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) region have been celebrated for achieving their Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards in a special virtual event. A further three organisations were also celebrated for having their Silver Awards from 2015 re-validated. West Midland RFCA would like to congratulate all of their region’s winners for achieving their Silver Awards as…

West Midland RFCA celebrates Black History Month with webinar

On 14th October West Midland RFCA hosted a webinar to celebrate Black History Month.  The keynote speaker at the event was Horace Barnes, Chairperson at Why Are West Indian (WAWI) project.  The WAWI Project is a voluntary organisation set up in 2009 to offer workshops to schools and to bring communities together. The presentation by Horace Barnes covered some of the history of…

The Armed Forces Covenant: Employer Benefits by Harrison Clark Rickerbys

One of our supportive employers and Gold Award holder on the Employer Recognition Scheme have put together the article below to highlight the benefits of the Armed Forces Covenant to other organisations. The Armed Forces Covenant is the nation’s commitment to those who protect us. It is a pledge that your organisation understands that those who serve or have served deserve to be…

South Staffordshire College signs Armed Forces covenant

South Staffordshire College recognises the value serving military personnel, Reservists, veterans and their families bring not just to our society, but also to our college. It is therefore with great pleasure; South Staffordshire College announces it has signed the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces Covenant represents a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve, or have served, and their families,…

ERS Gold Award winners celebrated

From today, we are joining a national celebration of those employers in our region who have achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award, the Ministry of Defence’s highest level of recognition for employers who support and advocate for the Armed Forces Community. There will unfortunately not be an awards ceremony this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but we still want to…

West Midlands Combined Authority praised for its support of the Armed Forces

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has earned a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award for its commitment to recruiting and supporting ex-servicemen and women and Reservists. Following on from signing the Armed Forces Covenant and being awarded Bronze last year the prestigious Silver award now recognises the WMCA as an organisation that is actively supporting the Armed Forces community, has put positive human…

Acacia Training is Armed Forces friendly

Trentham-based Acacia Training receives recognition for providing exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and now holds a Bronze award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The company, which provides apprenticeships and work based training, earned the accolade by demonstrating through it’s culture, policies and procedures that it is ‘forces-friendly’ and is open to employing Reservists, Armed Forces veterans, cadet instructors and…

Coventry College launches Armed Forces Partnership

Coventry College has formed a major partnership with the Armed Forces for the first time. The city’s further education provider – which educates around 8,000 young and mature students – has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a formal pledge of support to former and current personnel who have served in Great Britain’s Navy, Army, and RAF. The Covenant will see Coventry…