Twelve businesses from across the North West of England have received Silver Awards under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for their support to the Armed Forces community.
The awards were presented by Mr Paul Griffiths, Her Majesty’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Greater Manchester, during a ceremony held at the British Muslim Heritage Centre in Manchester on the evening of 23 November.
The ERS Silver Awards recognise organisations who demonstrate support for Service personnel, including employing members of the Armed Forces community, and show flexibility towards training and mobilisation commitments for Reservists. Silver Award winners also support the employment of Cadet Force Adult Instructors, former Service personnel and military spouses or partners.
This year, the following employers from across the North West of England have been awarded Silver:
- Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Brunswick Youth and Community Centre
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Edgar Brothers
- Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service
- Oldham Council
- Protective Security
- The Riverside Group
- Tom Harrison House
- The University of Bolton
- Veterans HQ
- Veterans in Sefton
The award winners were presented with certificates signed by the Secretary of State for Defence.
Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, Chief of Defence People, said: “Congratulations to this year’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award winners who have turned their willingness to make a difference to our Armed Forces into effective programmes of support. Your actions mean that our veterans, the wounded injured and sick, our Reservists and their families are not disadvantaged by their military service and have the same opportunities as everyone else. Your commitment is highly valued and is at the heart of all that can be achieved in every part of the country through the Armed Forces Covenant”.
Reacting to their award, Dan Stephens, Chief Fire Officer MFRS and former Parachute Regiment soldier, said: “Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service greatly values the relationship we have with the Armed Forces community. We currently have over 70 personnel who are former Service men and women or serving Reservists with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force, and we have a written policy to support our Reservist staff.
“We regularly engage operationally with the Armed Services through training and National Resilience arrangements, a relationship which brings benefits to both parties. During 2017 we will be recruiting Community Safety Apprentices, and through local engagement we’re encouraging Army Cadets to apply for these roles. We’re very proud that our support to Defence has been recognised with the ERS Silver Award.”
Lieutenant Colonel Steven Wotherspoon, Regional Employer Engagement Director at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA), said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Defence we are honoured to be able to recognise the level of support and commitment given to the Armed Forces by organisations in the region. Each recipient has demonstrated not only that they value the ethos of the Armed Forces but also that they are prepared to help Reservists, former servicemen and women and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers in the workplace. The experiences gained through service with the Reserve Forces or volunteering with the Cadet organisations equip individuals with invaluable life skills – motivation, self-discipline, confidence, communication, teamwork and leadership – all of which make a positive contribution to any organisation.”
Reservists in the North West of England serve in the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marines Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. They can be mobilized wherever they are needed to work alongside Regular Armed Forces, and are trained to the same high standard as their Regular counterparts. Cadet Force Adult Volunteers give of their own free time to support the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Cadets, in turn developing experience and gaining qualifications which also help them in their day jobs. For more information about the Reserve Forces and the Cadets, visit www.nwrfca.org.uk
