Employer Engagement

Employer Recognition Scheme revalidation awards announced

Five supportive employers across the West Midlands region have been re-awarded their Gold and Silver Awards as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledges employers who have provided exceptional support to the Armed Forces community. The Gold and Silver Awards are reviewed every five years, and requires each organisation to resubmit an application to be considered by a…

Welcoming companies to the Armed Forces Covenant family

Since the 1st of July we are delighted to announce that the following organisations have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are embracing a host of forces-friendly initiatives. We are so proud of the support businesses have been able to show during this particularly difficult time and thank each and every one of our Armed Forces Covenant signatories. Our ten new signees are:…

West Midlands employers recognised by Ministry of Defence Awards for support to Armed Forces

Twenty-two organisations from across the West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association’s (West Midland RFCA) region have been recognised by the Ministry of Defence for their support to the Armed Forces. West Midland RFCA would like to congratulate all of their region’s winners for achieving their Silver Awards as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The organisations are spread across all…

127 new employers awarded for supporting the Armed Forces community

The most supportive organisations for Britain’s Armed Forces such as Microsoft Ltd, Greater Manchester Police and the Post Office from both the private and public sectors have been announced today, 30 July 2020. The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards continues to grow in strength year on year.  To win an award organisations must demonstrate that they provide ten extra paid days leave for…

Highways England pledges lifelong support for the Armed Forces

Highways England recently announced a package of support for serving and ex-forces personnel and their families by re-signing its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. Originally signed in 2017, the agreement recognises the remarkable contribution of regulars, Reservists, veterans and the families who support them.  This includes additional leave for training, support for those with family away on service and recruitment efforts to…

Consultation launched: National Insurance Contributions holiday for employers that hire veterans

The Government is seeking views about a National Insurance Contributions (NICs) holiday for employers who hire former members of the UK regular Armed Forces. In particular they are encouraging contributions from employers of veterans, software providers and accountants about the scheme’s implementation. Securing successful employment is one of the fundamental elements which allow those who have served in the Armed Forces to make…

Armed Forces Week 2020

Armed Forces Week from 22nd – 27th June was a chance to celebrate our Armed Forces and the role they play in protecting the UK both at home and overseas. The week not only celebrated serving personnel, both regular and reserve, but also those who make up the wider Armed Forces community including veterans, military spouses, cadets and cadet force adult volunteers. Due…

WMG lecturer deployed as Army reservist to help Scotland fight Covid-19

Major Gary Bilsbarrow, a Senior Lecturer at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick, has been mobilised as an Army Reservist to Edinburgh to use his expertise to support the Scottish Government and NHS in their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Gary lectures in Supply Chain and Logistics Management at WMG.  He is currently using his skills and experience as a logistician to…

Worcestershire hospitals give thanks to the military by signing the Armed Forces Covenant

On Armed Forces Day 2020 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust formally thanked the military for their support during Covid-19 and made a national pledge to veterans, serving personnel and their families by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. In a ‘virtual’ ceremony, Trust Chief Executive Matthew Hopkins and Chairman Sir David Nicholson signed the declaration alongside Colonel Damian Griffin TD, Commanding Officer 202 Field…

Wales & West Midland Gold Alumni benefit from a mental health and well-being seminar

The Wales & West Midland Gold Alumni Association (WA & WM GAA) went online for their biennial get together, as Covid-19 forced a rethink. Our spring meeting was originally scheduled for early May, but was unable to go ahead, so we went online instead to run a mental health and well-being webinar, chaired by our regional Chairman, Mr Steve Lees, from Jaguar Land…