UK (Staffordshire University) University celebrates silver award for armed forcessupport
The University has received a Silver Award through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) which acknowledges employers who provide exceptional support and act as advocates for defence and the armed forces.
The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for organisations that go above and beyond to align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant, which Staffordshire University signed up to in 2017.
Professor Kevin Hetherington, Staffordshire University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are thrilled to have achieved silver status through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. Staffordshire University has been a longstanding supporter of the armed forces and we’re proud to include those individuals in the military and those preparing for resettlement through Staffordshire University degrees as part of our student body and alumni.
“We also employ reservists, veterans and military partners within our workforce – and we recognise the benefits that their service and experiences bring to our University community.”
Since 2004, Staffordshire University has been an approved provider of degree programmes to the MoD and currently has nearly 2,000 armed forces students around the world studying on a range of courses, including Aviation, Education, Engineering, Intelligence, IT, Law, and Leadership and Management.
The University has recently updated its HR policies to support reservists who are part of the workforce, providing them with the support and confidence to deploy or meet training commitments without having to worry about their civilian employment.
It also supports local and regional charities through membership of the Staffordshire Corporation and Stoke-on-Trent City Council Armed Forces Committees.
Major General Mark Overton, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reservists and Cadets), commented: “A Silver Award recognises the fantastic efforts of employers throughout the UK who have both elevated their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and provided actual benefits to the armed forces community. The winners should all be proud of their life-changing impact and fresh opportunities they are providing to our reservists, veterans and their families.”