Employer Recognition Scheme: Silver Awards 2026
We want to say a big congratulations to all our 2026 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award recipients across the West Midlands. These organisations have gone above and beyond in their support for the Armed Forces community, helping to create more forces-friendly workplaces and recognising the values that Reservists, Veterans, the Cadet movement, military families and service leavers bring. There are 31 Silver Award…
Volunteers’ Week: From Cadet to Squadron Commander
Flight Lieutenant Saffron Ferreira joined the Air Cadets when she was just 14 years old. Eleven years later, she is still at her home unit, 888 (Oldbury) Squadron, now serving as Squadron Commander. At first, I was really against joining the Cadets, mainly because I had to wear a skirt. But because I was prone to quitting things before giving things a proper…
Exercise Executive Leader and Future Leader
Employees from across the West Midlands stepped away from their day-to-day roles to experience leadership training delivered the Army way through the Exercise Executive Leader and Exercise Future Leader programmes. Leadership Training the Army Way Designed to challenge, inspire and develop professionals at different stages of their careers, both events combined leadership theory with practical team-based exercises, giving participants the opportunity to test…
Jon Sykes and Serve and Protect: Building a Forces-Friendly Future
Every month, we are shining a light on employers across the West Midlands who are going above and beyond to support the Armed Forces community. These stories offer a valuable insight into what it means to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. This month, we spoke to Jon Sykes, Veteran and Partnerships Coordinator at Serve and Protect Credit Union. Serve and Protect Credit Union…
Operation Mindset: Black Onyx Academy
On Friday 10th April, Black Onyx Academy proudly delivered its first Operation Mindset workshop, designed to highlight the importance of communication, teamwork, and resilience among young people in the local community. As a veteran-led organisation, Black Onyx Academy is deeply committed to passing on the valuable skills and experiences gained through service to the next generation. The session saw fantastic engagement throughout the…
Mike Sykes and ESCO Maritime Solutions: Building a Forces-Friendly Future
Every month, we will be shining a spotlight on employers across the West Midlands who are going above and beyond to support the Armed Forces community. These stories offer valuable insight into what it means to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. This month, we’ve spoken to Mike Sykes of ESCO Maritime Solutions, a business that is rebuilding its Armed Forces Covenant journey from…
Staffordshire Joint Cadet Centre (JCC) Official Opening Ceremony
On Saturday 14th February 2026, the West Midland RFCA celebrated the official opening of the joint cadets centre in Staffordshire. Located near Beacon Barracks, the new JCC is a modern, eco-conscious training environment built as a shared resource for Staffordshire’s Army and Air Cadets. With expanded classrooms, upgraded facilities and improved access to nearby military housing and barracks, the centre is designed to…
Phoenix Collegiate Raises Funds for Help For Hero’s Through All-Day Fitness Challenge
On Wednesday 11th February, students and staff at Phoenix Collegiate hosted an all-day fitness challenge, raising funds for Help for Heroes by cycling, running, and lifting weights. Participants committed to covering as many miles as possible while also taking on weightlifting challenges. Despite demanding conditions, students showed exceptional resilience, determination and teamwork, motivating one another to keep going and maximise their fundraising efforts….
‘Partnering with Defence Conference’ – Event Recap
On Wednesday 28th January, organisations from all over the West Midlands region gathered together at our Partnering with Defence conference to hear the latest on current developments within the defence employer engagement pace. The conference took place at Lilleshall National Sports and Conferencing Centre, famed for providing world-class sporting facilities for individuals, the local community and some of the country’s leading sportsmen and…
The Phoenix Collegiate celebrate successful CCF growth
Our Association is proud to work with Combined Cadet Forces across our six counties, supporting their growth and championing the value and benefits that they can bring to young people. One Combined Cadet Force – The Phoenix Collegiate CCF based in West Bromwich – is an example of a CCF that has thoroughly embraced the development opportunities available to its staff and students. …
