Wessex RFCA

The window for the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award is now open to accept expressions of interest. To qualify for Gold, employers must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant employers must have an existing relationship with their National Account Manager/Regional Employer Engagement Director/appropriate defence representative must already be accredited as a holder of ERS Silver Award and must have held it with sufficient time to develop suitable plans, policies and evidence to support the ERS Gold application the employer must proactively demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes; be engaged with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) in the recruitment of service leavers, and have registered for the Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) portal must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues - e.g. an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must have an internally publicised and positive human resources policy on Reserves the employer must be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place, and must provide at least 10 days’ additional leave for training, fully paid, to the Reservist employee the employer must actively encourage a positive environment for Reservists by ensuring that positive policies in support of Reservists within the workforce are communicated to line managers must not have been the subject of any negative public relations or media activity should be an exemplar in demonstrating support to the Cadet movement, e.g. through mentoring cadets in key employment skills, by providing guaranteed interviews for cadets, by direct investment in equipment and infrastructure for a local cadet unit, or by funding and sponsoring competitions, events, and specific activities for cadets such as overseas expeditions promote volunteering with the cadet forces from their workforce by providing additional leave for employees who are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) To put in an expression of interest visit https://ow.ly/cpxp50UmmF3 #GoldERS25

The Employer Recognition Scheme Expression of Interest window is now open for the Silver award! **Silver award holders:** - Must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. - Must hold an ERS Bronze Award long enough to develop plans and evidence for Silver application, ensuring service personnel are not disadvantaged in recruitment. - Must actively promote positive policies regarding defence issues within their workforce, such as having a public HR policy on Reserves if nominated for support. - Should demonstrate support for Reservists by providing at least 5 days of additional leave (paid/unpaid) for training or mobilisations without financial disadvantage. - Must not have any negative PR or media involvement. - Should support the Cadet movement through proactive assistance to cadets and local units. Complete the form at https://ow.ly/RUek50UlLVE #SilverERS25

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards took place at the stunning Longleat House, honouring nineteen outstanding businesses in the South West for their dedication to the Armed Forces community. Lieutenant General David James Eastman, MBE, presented these awards to the deserving recipients, who showcase an unwavering commitment to supporting those who serve and have served. Read the full story at https://ow.ly/ox8550UgM6j 4C Strategies, BlackTree Technologies, Bootnecks in2 Business, Day 1 People, DSET Ltd, Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP Infrastar Ltd Livewell Southwest North Somerset Council @plymouth-citybus-ltd Ruddy Nice, Sanderson Government & Defence, NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit, Squarcle Consulting Ltd, Strongmind Resiliency Training Ltd, @mlt-international @turn-to-starboard @uhbristol University of Exeter #GoldERS24

Last week we were delighted to present our Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award winners of 2024 with their certificates at a glittering ceremony that took place at the stunning Longleat House. To see the official photos from the event, follow this link; https://lnkd.in/gXnp8U6s

What a fantastic morning with 6AAC Reserves. Employers from both South East RFCA and the South West regions were hosted at an exclusive, behind-the-wire breakfast event at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Employers were given briefings from the unit Commanding Officer and Reserves to find our more about how supporting and employing Reserves can benefit them. They were also treated to a tour of a Wildcat helicopter. Gary Holland CMIOSH from SHEQ Services Ltd pledged his support to the Armed Forces community, by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, alongside Lieutenant Colonel Alice Archer, Commanding Officer of 6 Regiment Army Air Corps. Emily Kadoch

Three Cornwall-based organisations have been recognised for their exceptional support of the Armed Forces community with the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award. The awards were presented during a special ceremony at the headquarters of 505 Wessex Squadron RAuxAF at RAF St Mawgan. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme is a national initiative that acknowledges employers who demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting Defence personnel, including veterans, reservists, and their families. Read the full story at https://ow.ly/rE9I50U8ZJm Secure Forests CIC #llawards24 #SilverAwards #supportourtroops #SilverERS24

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them. #wewillrememberthem

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Scheldt. After the disastrous failure of operation market garden, the allies were determined to open the German held Belgian port on the Scheldt Estuary. As the Allied armies advanced across Western Europe in the summer of 1944, the First Canadian Army undertook the task of clearing the coastal areas and opening the Channel ports. Fighting on the left flank of the Allied forces, the Canadians pushed rapidly eastward through France toward Belgium. The II Canadian Corps reached Ostend, Bruges, and Ghent in the middle of September. After Allied forces landed in France on D-Day, June 6, the British Second Army pushed forward into the Low Countries and captured Brussels and Antwerp, the latter with its excellent port facilities intact. But the British advance halted with the Germans still controlling the Scheldt Estuary, a waterway running 50 miles from the North Sea to Antwerp. By September, it had become urgent for the Allies to open Antwerp to shipping in order to ease logistical burdens on their supply lines, which now stretched hundreds of miles back into Normandy. Read more at https://ow.ly/2W8250T473t

South Gloucestershire Council has recently received the bronze award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), recognising its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. The Employer Recognition Scheme is designed to acknowledge employers that provide exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and Defence by going above and beyond their Covenant pledges. The scheme supports the council in scrutinising its own practice against nationally recognised best practice, and presents challenges continuously improve and develop. It also helps the council demonstrate to the public – especially the Armed Forces Community – its commitment to excellence in employment practices. The council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Alison Evans, said “I am delighted that we have achieved this recognition. Through our work with partners, including SAFFA and AssistPlus, we aim to support those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, ensuring they are treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives. Being a Forces friendly employer is part of our commitment and I would encourage businesses of all shapes and sizes to consider the proven business benefits of hiring veterans.” South Gloucestershire Council is an active member of Forces Connect South West, and took a lead role in developing the Health and Wellbeing element of South-West wide Strategy to ensure proactive delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant across the region. This is an important contribution as mental health and wellbeing is one of the key reasons why armed forces veterans approach services for support. To learn more about our support for the Armed Forces Community, visit https://ow.ly/bFLP50TY6xF Story from South Gloucestershire Council https://ow.ly/VaJo50TY6xE #EmployerRecognitionScheme #ERSBronze South Gloucestershire Council

Join the Wessex Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association as a Cadet Quartermaster! This full-time role, based in Keynsham, offers a salary of £32,175 (fixed) and requires local residency. Enjoy 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with a 13% employer pension contribution. Ideal candidates will have prior military experience and an LGV driving license. For full details and to apply, visit https://ow.ly/Qlep50TY7aM #jobs #JobOpportunity