More than 120 forces-friendly employers from across the region have been getting expert tips from the RFCA on how to win top honours in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards.
The RFCA’s employer engagement team have been hosting a series of online workshops to support organisations that want to move to the next level of the scheme – with Silver Award holders supported to reach Gold standard and Bronze to reach Silver status.
Companies ranging from small businesses such as Huddersfield-based Purple Dog Training to larger firms like Sheffield Forgemasters along with local authorities such as Leeds City Council attended the workshops as they found out about new ways in which they could improve their support for the military.
Forces-friendly employers
Pictured from left to right are Pauline King, regional employer engagement director, Richard Lenton, regional employer engagement director and Elizabeth Kama, employer engagement admin officer.
Pauline said: “The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledges the UK’s very best forces-friendly employers who go the extra mile to support the military – be they reserves, veterans or cadet force adult volunteers.
“Typically, these employers have policies and practices in place that ensure the armed forces community are treated fairly in the workplace and their managers understand their need to train and, in some cases, deploy in support of military operations.
“We are really pleased that so many attended our workshops as a way of hearing first hand from ourselves, as well as from current Gold and Silver Award holders, what they need to do to reach the standard required in order to move up the ladder of support.
“We look forward to working with them over the next few months as we support them on their journey to become even more forces-friendly.”
Expression of interest for 2023
If you are a forces-friendly employer and wish to continue your ERS journey then the RFCA can assist.
The window is now open to submit your Expression of Interest to move up to Silver or Gold status and the RFCA can help you every step of the way.
Contact Pauline King at yh-reed2@rfca.mod.uk
Closing dates are:
- 1st March – submit your Gold Expression of Interest by midnight
- 15th March – Gold applications close at midday
- 5th April – submit your Silver Expression of Interest by midday
- 19th April – Silver applications close at midday