Employers Archives - RFCA Yorkshire

Record number of employers in Yorkshire and the Humber achieve Gold ERS

Businesses supporting the Armed Forces community

The Reserve Forces and Cadet Association of Yorkshire and the Humber is pleased to announce that a record number of organisations from the region have achieved ‘Gold’ in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) this year since the inception of the awards in 2013. Eleven employers from Yorkshire and the Humber (including North Lincolnshire) have received The Ministry of Defence’s highest badge of honour which recognises the positive role that employers play in supporting the Armed Forces community. They join a total of 193 organisations nationwide who have also received this award this year.

The regional winners

The regional winners

From Yorkshire and the Humber and North Lincolnshire, the organisations recognised for 2024 ERS Gold are:

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
Bradford Bulls Rugby League Football Club
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Genesis Protection Services
Humberside Police Headquarters
The National Horseracing College
Northern Lincolnshire & Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
One SC media Ltd
Offploy CIC
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service

They will be celebrated at an awards event in York on 14 November 2024.

The national picture, 2024

One hundred and ninety-three organisations have been recognised by the UK Government for supporting the Armed Forces community and achieving Gold ERS. Organisations of all sizes, from all sectors and from across the UK, have been successful including Stirling Highland Games, Expedia.Com, Google and B&Q. In total, 33 sectors are represented from Healthcare and Education to Recruitment and Food and Beverage. This not only demonstrates the importance of the Covenant, but the skills and benefits that ex-service personnel can bring businesses.

Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns said:

“Our Armed Forces Community make incredible sacrifices to keep the nation safe, and it is only right that they are welcomed and valued in the workplace when they leave service. This scheme aligns with this government’s determination to renew the nation’s contract with our Armed Forces.

“I would like to thank the nearly 200 organisations that have been recognised with a gold award this year. Their continued support ensures that our Armed Forces Community are given opportunities needed to flourish.”

About Gold ERS

To win a Gold award from the Ministry of Defence, organisations must provide 10 extra paid days leave for reservists, and have supportive HR policies in place for reservists, veterans, Cadet Force adult volunteers and the spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.

They must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community, by encouraging other organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage with the Employer Recognition Scheme.

The Defence ‘Gold’ Employer Recognition Scheme delivered by Defence Relationship Management has over 800 holders nationwide. Organisations must reapply every five years to retain their Gold Award status.

The ERS consists of three award levels – bronze, silver and gold. Each level indicates an organisation’s commitment and involvement to offer support programmes that align with the scheme’s framework. The main objective of the scheme is for employers to endorse their employees who are military personnel (current, former and associated) and enable development opportunities that support their current or past duty to the forces with their civilian employment. The scheme also encourages the overall support of the general armed forces community.

Why being a forces-friendly employer matters – statements from selected 2024 Gold ERS employers

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust Simon Tighe, Non-clinical Armed Forces Champion and Navy Veteran, has spearheaded the programme on behalf of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust said:

“We are very proud to support serving personnel and veterans in our area in any way we can, both in terms of meeting their health needs and in providing them with work outside the Armed Forces.

“We actively recruit veterans through local events and encourage our teams to support the forces, releasing staff to train as adult cadet volunteers and offering 10 days of paid leave for Reservists working with the Trust, as well as releasing them for active deployment.

“Providing wellbeing support and advice is also a priority for us. We have a very active staff network, and our teams are able to access a wealth of advice, information and training on our intranet and through a dedicated area on our staff app. We have also built-up fantastic partnerships with Armed Forces charities and networks across northern Lincolnshire, as well as with our colleagues at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust through the NHS Humber Health Partnership.

“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in getting us to this point. Your work really does make a huge difference to Veterans and Serving Personnel in our area.”

Jacob Hill, MD and Founder, Offploy said:

“Everyone at Offploy is thrilled and honoured to have been awarded the ERS Gold Award. Since signing the Armed Forces Covenant we have worked hard to embed best practice with setting up Offploy Veterans, offering a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans and reserves, supporting a local Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron and donating to the Yorkshire Cadets charity. In everything we do Offploy ensures that veterans, reserves and adult cadet force volunteers are supported and recognised.

“Receiving the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is an immense honour for Offploy. We are incredibly proud of our veteran colleagues and our strong connection with the RAF reservists of 609 (West Riding) Squadron. This recognition highlights our commitment to supporting those who have served our country, and we will continue to champion their invaluable contributions within our organisation.”