Ministry of Defence bestow top honour on York College

Along with 18 other organisations across the Yorkshire & Humber region at a York Racecourse Presentation Night, we were officially granted Silver status by the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) as part of the MoD’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

College Principal & Chief Executive Ken Merry and Director of Marketing & External Partnerships Sarah Leatherbarrow were joined by Graham Baker, Head of Foundation English and Maths, at the prestigious event.

Graham is also a former member of The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

There are three ERS award levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold – with all recipients recognised for their unwavering effort to support the Armed Forces in their workplace and community.

This is evidenced by an adherence to services and practices that fairly treat employees or prospective employees who are veterans, reservists, families of serving officers and cadet forces adult volunteers.

The main objective of the scheme is to enable development opportunities that support such employees’ current or past duty to the forces with their civilian employment.

Before submitting an ERS nomination, employers must also be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), an agreement that pledges an employer's intent to support the military community.

Silver Award holders, meanwhile, have acquired that recognition by demonstrating their support for Defence by employing at least one reserve and actively communicating and upholding a positive stance to their employees via established human resources policies and procedures.

They also support reservists by showing flexibility to allow them to fulfil their annual training and mobilisation commitments.

On the College’s Silver status, Principal & Chief Executive Ken Merry said: "It is a great honour for York College to receive the ERS Silver Award. It highlights our steadfast commitment to supporting the Defence and Armed Forces community across York and North Yorkshire.

“We are fiercely proud of all our staff who have served in the Armed Forces and this recognition aligns perfectly with our values and our dedication to upholding the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant."

Certificates on the night were presented by HM Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Johanna Ropner and Air Commodore Adam Sansom.

The following organisations from North Yorkshire also received Silver Awards: Carers Plus Yorkshire, Citizens Advice York, Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Purple Creative Studio, Saint Catherine’s Hospice and Skipton Building Society.

Colonel Jason Wright, Chief Executive of the RFCA for Yorkshire & Humber, added: “Congratulations to this year’s employers who have achieved recognition for their exemplary efforts supporting the Armed Forces community. Veterans, reservists and adult volunteers bring a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge from their military experience, making them invaluable contributors in a workplace environment or organisational team.

“We are grateful for the regional employers committed to ensuring equal and fair opportunities for these individuals and their families. We hope this year’s recipients further their development of Armed Forces-friendly practices and policies and continue their ERS journey to reach the highest recognition of Gold status”.