ERS Silver Award logo 2020Twenty-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 part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The organisations are spread across all of the regions counties and come from a wide range of sectors including: education providers, NHS Trusts, charities, local authorities, security firms and the leisure industry.

The event held on 13th November 2020 saw videos from all of the winners giving their thanks, alongside message of thanks to the organisations from the Single Services and West Midland RFCA. The winners videos are all available to be viewed on our YouTube channel – West Midland RFCA.

 

Congratulations again to all our winners:

Academy Transformation Trust

Almarose Hotels and Resorts Limited

Ammo and Company Limited

Atheniem Limited

Carwood Motor Units

Citizens Advice Telford and The Wrekin

Eclipse Strategic Security Limited

GMS Security Services Limited

HR4 Limited

Landau Limited

Matrix Academy Trust

Minerva Elite Performance Limited

MSG Risk Management Limited

Onions and Davies Solicitors

SafeLane Global

Solihull College and University Centre

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

The Surveillance Group Limited

Traffix Limited

University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

West Midlands Combined Authority

YSS Limited (Youth Support Services)

 

Our three re-validations are:

HS Marston Aerospace Limited

Police Mutual and Forces Mutual

University of Birmingham

 

Bobby Birdi, Regional Employer Engagement Director at West Midland RFCA, said: “We are absolutely delighted that these employers in our region have been recognised by the Ministry of Defence for the support they provide to the Armed Forces community.

“From working with Careers Transition Partnership and Forces Families Jobs in recruiting veterans and military spouses, to the respect they show their existing staff members who are Reserves or Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, every employer here has demonstrated the

value they place on the forces community and military experience. They are working examples of the fact that partnering with Defence is good for business.”

Silver award holders must demonstrate a number of positive measures and policies in their organisations which actively support members of the Armed Forces community.  This includes veterans, Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and their families.

The silver status requires employers to ensure:

  • That members of the forces community are not disadvantaged in their recruitment and selection process
  • That all positive policies relating to defence personnel are internally publicised
  • That they employ at least one individual from the armed forces category that their nomination emphasises
  • If required, that they have demonstrated support to Reservist mobilisations
  • That they align their values with their Armed Forces Covenant

The ERS was launched to recognise and reward employers who support Defence and inspire others to do the same.  To find out more about the ERS click here or to find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant click here.