West Midland RFCA

Refurbishment improves experience for Cadets

   Two Cadet centres in Sutton Coldfield have received a fresh makeover thanks to a refurbishment project led by our Estates team. The buildings, home to the Sutton Coldfield Detachment Army Cadets and 495 (Sutton Coldfield) Squadron RAF Air Cadets, saw tired exteriors and interiors upgraded and modernised, and the internal and external structures of the building refurbished. Overseen by our Estate Manager,…

Going for Gold 2025: Championing Forces-Friendly Employers

This year’s Going for Gold 2025 event invited forces-friendly employers to explore how they can climb the ladder of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Held at DRP Group’s creative Studio 212 in Hartlebury, the event was a vibrant celebration of collaboration between businesses and the Armed Forces. In partnership with DRP Group, we delivered an action-packed day full of inspiring experiences, hands-on…

Celebrating International Women’s Day

In early March we hosted an inspiring International Women’s Day event at HMS Forward, bringing together local organisations, military personnel and community networks to celebrate the incredible contributions of women in our Armed Forces and business communities. The day focussed on championing the achievements, skills and lived experiences of women, while opening up space for powerful conversations around gender equality and women’s issues….

Inspiring future leaders: Cadets explore career pathways

Cadets from Warwickshire and the West Midlands (South Sector) Army Cadet Force recently took part in a Cadet Careers Fair at Bramcote Cadet Training Centre, designed to open doors to future opportunities. A wide range of forces-friendly employers came together to highlight potential career paths, training options, and offer valuable CV advice. The event allowed the Cadets to engage directly with the employers,…

Army Reservists take to the slopes for skiing expedition

Our Association provides funds in support of adventure training for Reserve and Cadet units and one of the latest trips we have supported is the 37 Signal Regiment’s annual skiing expedition. An account from the trip with the highlights and successes can be found below.   Exercise Dragon Sorbet is the Regiments’ annual skiing expedition to Kirtchdorf, Austria.  This year, twenty five personnel…

Reserve Centres go green

Eight Army Reserve Centres in our region are helping to reduce their carbon footprint after the installation of new EV Chargers at their sites. The project, managed by our Estates team and overseen by our Estates Officer Soft FM, saw secure plug-in charging stations installed at each centre to charge the unit’s official military vehicles and white fleet. Working in conjunction with the…

New multi-million pound Joint Cadet Centre in Stafford

Ground has been broken and work started on a new Joint Cadet Centre in Stafford.   The project, led by our Association, will provide new training facilities for the following units from Staffordshire and Birmingham (North Sector) Army Cadet Force (ACF): HQ Company, C Company (Stafford) unit, Corps of Drums. From the Royal Air Force Air Cadets the following units will move to…

Employers go behind the scenes at School of Technical Training

Businesses from Shropshire and Staffordshire were given a special ‘behind the scenes’ glimpse into the roles and work of No. 1 School of Technical Training and No. 605 (County of Warwick) Royal Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Cosford. Hosted by No. 1 School of Technical Training and No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron, with support from Shropshire Council and our Association, the…

Gold standard employers celebrated

On 23rd October 2024 fourteen organisations from across the wider West Midlands area attended an awards ceremony in Shropshire to receive their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Awards, recognising their exceptional level of support to the Armed Forces community. Held at Lilleshall House and Gardens in Shropshire – home to one of the UK’s National Sports Centres and the Royal British Legion’s…