Business leaders partner to bring employers together
The Reserve Forces and Cadet Association of Yorkshire and the Humber (RFCA YH) is partnering with the Bradford Bulls, Bradford Council and West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce for Bradford’s first Business Military Expo. The event will bring businesses from the county together to raise awareness about the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) and the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Awards which support the armed forces community linking military and civilian employment. The event aims to help employers understand the transferable skills, both soft and specialist, gained during military service and the value of employing talent with this experience. Signing the AFC and joining the ERS reflects an employer’s commitment to the armed forces community and implementation of HR policies that support current or future employment for service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families.
Cross-sector programme
The event will be opened by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Ed Anderson CBE and feature guest speaker, Air Commodore Adam Sansom, Air Officer North of England, RAF. The day will feature a panel discussion ‘The benefits of recruiting from the Armed Forces community’ led by Colonel James Selka, Honorary Colonel of Yorkshire North and West Army Cadet Force, Dave Hornsey, Employer Relationship Manager, Career Transition Partnership and Lisa Featherstone, Transport Manager, Surefreight International Ltd, a 2023 Silver ERS recipient.
The expo is this year’s second ‘first-ever’ employer event in selected cities throughout Yorkshire and the Humber. As a result of the keen interest and high engagement with partners and supporting businesses, RFCA YH plans to hold two additional expos with partners in Sheffield and Hull in the spring/summer of 2024. Employers who have signed the AFC or have joined the ERS are welcome to attend, as well as employers who would like to learn more from forces-friendly employers who will be on hand to share their HR practices and policies that focus on the Armed Forces community.
Become a forces-friendly employer
Richard Lenton, Regional Employer Engagement Director, RFCA Yorkshire and the Humber says:
“We are delighted to co-host the Bradford Expo with the Chamber of Commerce West and North Yorkshire, Bradford Bulls, Bradford Council and the Ministry of Defence. With 120 business representatives attending and twenty company stands joining us, it’s clear to us that organisations know there is value in employing those who have served or are currently serving.
“We hope the events emphasise the importance of this and that they encourage businesses who have not yet signed the AFC or joined ERS, to take that first step to become a forces-friendly employer.”
For more information
If you would like to receive more information about exhibiting or attending our future Military/Business Expos, signing the AFC or joining ERS, or contacting our Employer Engagement Team, please click here .