Month: October 2020

ERS Gold Award winners celebrated

From today, we are joining a national celebration of those employers in our region who have achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award, the Ministry of Defence’s highest level of recognition for employers who support and advocate for the Armed Forces Community. There will unfortunately not be an awards ceremony this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but we still want to…

A spotlight on inspirational women in the Navy

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of women being deployed at sea in the Royal Navy, we’re shining a spotlight on inspirational women in the Navy and their fantastic achievements. One of these inspirational servicewomen is Commodore Mel Robinson (ADC MSc FCIPD), the current Commander of the Maritime Reserves. Commissioned in 1993 as a warfare officer, she served in a number of frigates and…

West Midlands Combined Authority praised for its support of the Armed Forces

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has earned a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award for its commitment to recruiting and supporting ex-servicemen and women and Reservists. Following on from signing the Armed Forces Covenant and being awarded Bronze last year the prestigious Silver award now recognises the WMCA as an organisation that is actively supporting the Armed Forces community, has put positive human…

Shropshire ACF welcomes new cadet for county’s first virtual enrolment

This year due to the lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions, many Army Cadet Force (ACF) face-to-face activities have been unable to take place as usual. However, during this time our cadet forces have been finding innovative ways to take training and activities to a safe online environment.  Working in the background they have been looking for ways they can successfully continue to run as…

Reservists mobilised in support of pandemic

In March 2020, everything changed as the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the world, and as the implementation of lockdown measures began, requests for assistance were received daily. Thankfully, the Operations Team at 37th Signal Regiment, amongst others, had prepared for such requests. The Regiment was able to respond quickly, leading to the first team of five Reservists heading to London in late March.  Ths…

Acacia Training is Armed Forces friendly

Trentham-based Acacia Training receives recognition for providing exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and now holds a Bronze award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The company, which provides apprenticeships and work based training, earned the accolade by demonstrating through it’s culture, policies and procedures that it is ‘forces-friendly’ and is open to employing Reservists, Armed Forces veterans, cadet instructors and…

New heating system improves carbon footprint on the Defence estate

An innovative new heating system is bringing a positive environmental impact to the Defence volunteer estate in the West Midlands region. Our Association’s Estates team, whose role includes overseeing the upkeep of some 30 tri-service Reserve Centres and providing support and maintenance to 250 Cadet units on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, highlighted issues relating to the efficiencies and maintenance of the…

Coventry College launches Armed Forces Partnership

Coventry College has formed a major partnership with the Armed Forces for the first time. The city’s further education provider – which educates around 8,000 young and mature students – has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a formal pledge of support to former and current personnel who have served in Great Britain’s Navy, Army, and RAF. The Covenant will see Coventry…