Guidance

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same.

From:
Ministry of Defence
Published
21 October 2015
Last updated
2329 November 2023 — See all updates

Documents

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

HTML

ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2023

ODS, 40.3 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2023

ODS, 85.5 KB

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ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2023

ODS, 144 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Details

About the scheme

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze,Bronze, silverSilver and goldGold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Related

The information:

ERS is designed primarily to recognise private sector support although public sector organisations such as the emergency services, local authorities, NHS trusts and executive agencies are also eligible to be recognised.

DefencePledge Relationshipyour Management.organisation’s support via the Bronze award or nominate an organisation for a Silver or Gold award via the links below.

Privacy policy

You can read our Privacy policy to find out more about how we process data.

Bronze award

Bronze award holders:

  • are selfself-nominated nominated by employers who pledge to support the armed forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community
  • must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
  • promote being armed forces-friendly and are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners
  • receive an electronic certificate and logos to display on their website, stationery and other collateral

Nominate your organisation for a bronzeBronze award

View the ERS Bronze Awardaward Holdersholders

Silver award

Silver award holders:

  • must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
  • the employer must have already stated their intent to be supportiveaccredited byas usinga theholder of ERS websiteBronze Award and held it with sufficient time to registerdevelop atsuitable theplans Bronzeand level
  • policies and evidence to support the ERS Silver application. The employer must proactively demonstrate that service personnel/armedpersonnel and the armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruiting and selection processes
  • the employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must have an internally publicised and positive positive HR policy policy on Reserves
  • within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place. They must demonstrate support to training by providing at least 5 days’ additional unpaid/paid leave (wherever possible not to Reservist employees’ financial disadvantage)
  • the employer must not have been the subject of any negative PR or media activity
  • within the context of Reserves the employer mustshould havedemonstrate demonstrated support forto mobilisationthe orCadet havemovement as a frameworkwhole toby supportproviding mobilisationsproactive insupport place

The nomination window to expressindividual yourcadets interestand/or to applylocal forcadet a Silver Award has now closed. If you have any questions please email employerrelations@rfca.mod.uk.

units

View the ERS Silver Award Holders

Gold award

Gold award holders:

  • must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
  • employers must have an existing relationship with their National Account Manager/REED/appropriateManager/Regional Employer Engagement Director/appropriate defence representative
  • the employer must already be demonstratingaccredited supportas by holding a validholder of ERS Silver Award.Award Employersand thatheld doit notwith holdsufficient atime validto ERSdevelop Silversuitable Awardplans cannotand progresspolicies and evidence to support the ERS Gold levelapplication
  • the employer must proactively demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes. Where possible, they should be engaged with Career Transition Partnership (CTP) in the recruitment of service leavers and have registered for the Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) portal
  • the employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must have an internally publicised and positive human resources policy on Reserves
  • the employer must be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results
  • within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place. They must provide at least 10 days’ additional leave for training, fully paid, to the Reservist employee
  • the employer must actively encourage a positive environment for Reservists by ensuring that positive policies in support of Reservists within the workforce are communicated to line managers
  • the employer must not have been the subject of any negative public relations or media activity
  • the employer mustshould activelybe encouragean aexemplar positivein environmentdemonstrating support to the Cadet movement. This could, for Reservistsexample, be through mentoring cadets in key employment skills, by ensuringproviding thatguaranteed positiveinterviews policiesfor cadets, by direct investment in supportequipment ofand Reservistsinfrastructure withinfor thea workforcelocal arecadet communicatedunit, toor lineby managersfunding and sponsoring competitions, events, and specific activities for cadets such as overseas expeditions

The

  • the nominationemployer windowpromotes tovolunteering expresswith yourthe interestcadet toforces applyfrom fortheir aworkforce, Goldby Awardproviding hasadditional nowleave closed.for Ifemployees youwho haveare anyCadet questionsForce pleaseAdult email:Volunteers employerrelations@rfca.mod.uk.

    (CFAVs)

    • View the ERS Gold Awardaward Holdersholders.

    Nomination and award process

    Employers can sign up themselves for each award.

    Nominations will be validated to determine the level of defence personnel employment within the nominated organisation and to check that the organisation has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

    Once the nomination has been validated it will be considered by a selection board at national level for gold awards and regional level for silver awards. The selection boards will be a panel chaired by a senior military officer and they will consider each nomination against the award criteria. Organisations selected for gold and silver awards will be formally notified in writing and invited to the relevant award event.

    Related information:

    Published 21 October 2015
    Last updated 2329 November 2023 + show all updates

    1. Removed 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme' as this information is available under 'Details'.

    2. Updated 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme'.

    3. The ERS Bronze list has been updated.

    4. The ERS bronze list has been updated.

    5. ERS Bronze List 2023 has been updated.

    6. ERS Bronze holders list 2023 has been updated.

    7. Updated: ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2023.

    8. The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.

    9. The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated

    10. The ERS Bronze list 2023 has been updated.

    11. The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.

    12. The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.

    13. The ERS Silvers 2023 holders list has been updated

    14. ERS gold holders has been updated

    15. View the ERS Gold awards updated

    16. Updated: 'ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2023'.

    17. The Gold Award Holder list has been updated.

    18. Updated: ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2023.

    19. ERS Bronze Award holders list has been updated

    20. Updated: 'Silver award' section in 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme'.

    21. Bronze award holder list updated.

    22. Added an update for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

    23. Bronze award holder list has been updated.

    24. Bronze award holder list updated.

    25. Updates have been made to the bronze award holder list.

    26. ERS Bronze holder spreadsheet has been updated.

    27. Updated list of bronze award holders

    28. Updated 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme' with nomination details for the Employer Recognition Scheme.

    29. Updated list of bronze ERS holders.

    30. Updated list of ERS bronze holders

    31. Updated list of bronze holders

    32. Updated list of bronze award holders

    33. Updated list of bronze award holders

    34. Updated list of bronze ERS holders

    35. List of Bronze award holders updated.

    36. ERS Bronze holders updated

    37. Updated list of bronze ERS award holders

    38. Updated list of bronze holders

    39. Updated bronze award holders

    40. Updated ERS Bronze holders

    41. ERS bronze holders updated

    42. ERS 2022 Silver holders updated

    43. ERS Bronze holders updated

    44. 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2022' updated.

    45. Updated list of Bronze award holders

    46. Updated with 2022 gold winners

    47. Updated bronze award holders

    48. Updated list of Bronze winners

    49. Updated list of Bronze ERS winners

    50. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    51. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    52. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    53. Updated content for: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

    54. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    55. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    56. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    57. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    58. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    59. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.

    60. Updated: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme under the headings: 'Silver award' and 'Gold award'.

    61. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders’

    62. Updated organisation name on ERS Silver Award Holder spreadsheet

    63. updated Bronze holder list

    64. updated silver and bronze spreadsheets, updated the link to apply for bronze award

    65. Updated Gold and Bronze excel lists, deleted Bronze spreadsheet from Nov 2020, deleted tips and tricks on writing a citation document

    66. updated Bronze award holder list, deleted two spreadsheets that are outdated and not needed (the bronze award holders updated in november spreadsheet, and the tips and tricks for writing your citations pdf).

    67. "ERS gold award holders - 2021" added.

    68. Updated: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme by adding new heading 'Privacy policy'.

    69. changed the silver award status to closed for nominations

    70. Marked the Gold Award winners nominations as closed.

    71. Updated headings Gold Award and Silver Award in Defence Employer Recognition Scheme html.

    72. Updated: ERS bronze award holders (Updated 16 November 2020).

    73. Updated the Bronze, Silver and Gold award holder lists

    74. Edited the silver awards holder list

    75. updated bronze award holder spreadsheet

    76. updated the excel list of ERS Gold award holders

    77. updated bronze award holders list

    78. Updated one of the criteria under the gold ERS heading.

    79. Updated ERS bronze award holders.

    80. Changed the silver award nominations from open to now closed.

    81. updated the list of Bronze award holders

    82. Update made to whether you can express your organisation' interest in the ERS Gold award.

    83. Updated Bronze ERS award holders

    84. Updated ERS Bronze Award Spreadsheet

    85. Updated ERS Bronze award holders

    86. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.

    87. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award Holders

    88. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award Holders

    89. Updated the page to reflect the new openings for organisations to express their interest for the gold and silver ERS awards.

    90. Updated the ERS Bronze Award Holder attachment

    91. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    92. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    93. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    94. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    95. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    96. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    97. Updated lists of Bronze, Silver and Gold Award holders

    98. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    99. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    100. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    101. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    102. Added the update that the Silver awards nominations have now closed.

    103. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    104. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    105. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    106. Updated Gold Award nomination information.

    107. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    108. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    109. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders and added 'Region' column to list of ERS Gold Award holders

    110. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    111. Updated list of ERS Bronze holders

    112. Updated list of Bronze award holders

    113. Updated list of Bronze Award holders. New Bronze application form and new expression of interest forms for Silver and Gold.

    114. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    115. Updated list of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders

    116. Updated lists of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders

    117. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

    118. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    119. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    120. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    121. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    122. Updated list of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders

    123. Changed the 'Size' field for Kent County Council's Gold award listing

    124. Changed the 'Industry' field for Kent County Council's Gold award

    125. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    126. Updated list of ERS Silver and Gold award holders

    127. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    128. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    129. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    130. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    131. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    132. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    133. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    134. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    135. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

    136. Updated Gold Awards with 'Gold nominations are now closed. If you have any questions regarding nominations please email employerrelations@rfca.mod.uk'.

    137. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

    138. Updated the Silver ERS award nomination announcement to reflect the change that took place at 23:59 on the 15 March 2018.

    139. Update to bronze award holders

    140. update to bronze ERS award holders excel.

    141. Update to bronze award listings.

    142. Update to ERS bronze award holders.

    143. Update to Gold and Silver ERS award holders excels.

    144. Update to bronze award holders.

    145. Update to bronze and silver award listings excels.

    146. Update to silver award listings.

    147. Update to Bronze ERS award holders listings.

    148. Update to Silver award listings.

    149. Update to Bronze and Silver award holders.

    150. Update of bronze award holders.

    151. Update to the ERS Silver award holders excel.

    152. Update to the ERS criteria for silver and gold.

    153. Update of the bronze award listings.

    154. Update of ERS Bronze award holders.

    155. Change to wording 'AFC' - 'Armed Forces Community', change to Bronze criteria and addition of updated Silver award holders.

    156. Update to Gold and Silver gold award nominations.

    157. Update to the bronze award holder listings.

    158. Addition of bronze award holders.

    159. Update of Bronze ERS awards holders.

    160. Updated Bronze award listings.

    161. Update of Gold award winners 2017.

    162. Update to the Bronze ERS awards listing.

    163. Update of companies that have received the Bronze award.

    164. Updating bronze award listings.

    165. Updated Bronze ERS award holders excel.

    166. Addition of Bronze ERS award holders.

    167. Update of Bronze ERS award holders.

    168. Updated Bronze award listings.

    169. Updates to the Bronze and Silver ERS holders index. Update to text in regard to Gold nominations closing.

    170. Update to Bronze award holders listing and closed Silver nominations.

    171. Update of the Bronze ERS Award holders listing.

    172. Update of Bronze ERS award holders.

    173. Update of ERS Bronze award holders.

    174. Update of Bronze Employer Recognition Scheme index.

    175. Update of the Bronze Employer Recognition Awards.

    176. Update of the Bronze and Silver Award holders for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

    177. Update to the Bronze Award Holders excel.

    178. Update of the bronze employer recognition scheme awards holders.

    179. Updated list of Bronze award holders

    180. Updating Silver and Bronze Awards Employer Recognition scheme holders.

    181. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Listings.

    182. Updated bronze award link

    183. Updated list of bronze award holders.

    184. Updated list of silver awards holders from 2016.

    185. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    186. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award holders.

    187. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    188. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.

    189. Change to closing date for Employer Recognition Scheme gold nomination submissions.

    190. Updated lists of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze and silver award holders.

    191. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    192. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    193. Nominations for Employer Recognition Scheme gold and silver awards 2017 are now open. Inclusion of links to nomination forms.

    194. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

    195. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    196. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme gold award winners.

    197. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    198. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    199. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    200. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    201. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    202. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders.

    203. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze holders.

    204. Updated list of bronze award holders

    205. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    206. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    207. Updated lists of Employer Recognition Scheme silver award winners and bronze award holders.

    208. Updated list of ERS bronze holders

    209. Closed Employer Recognition Scheme gold nominations for 2016.

    210. Updated list of bronze award holders.

    211. Updated list of ERS bronze award holders

    212. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

    213. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze holders.

    214. Updated list of ERS bronze award holders. Closing of nominations for ERS silver 2016.

    215. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

    216. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

    217. Updated list of bronze award holders.

    218. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

    219. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme silver award winners.

    220. Employer Recognition Scheme gold award nominations now open.

    221. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award holders

    222. Updated Silver and Bronze award winner lists

    223. Update to Defence Employer Recognition Scheme silver and bronze award winners.

    224. Update to Silver and Bronze award holders.

    225. Announcement of the 2015 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold winners.

    226. Update to Defence Employer Recognition Scheme silver and bronze award holders.

    227. First published.