Rushmoor Borough Council is delighted to have been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, which recognises employers demonstrating sustained support for the Armed Forces community.
The council is one of only 162 employers in the country to have received the Ministry of Defence’s highest recognition for organisations that demonstrate outstanding support for the armed forces community, whether helping veterans secure jobs, supporting reservists in balancing military and civilian careers, or backing military families through workplace policies,
Now in its twelfth year, the ERS Gold Award continues to celebrate employers that go beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments by embedding forces-friendly policies, advocating for defence and creating inclusive workplaces where veterans, reservists, military families and cadet force adult volunteers can thrive.
To achieve Gold Award status, employers must demonstrate that they:
- Provide at least ten days’ additional paid leave for reservists each year
- Have supportive HR policies for reservists, service families, veterans and cadet force adult volunteers
- Actively promote the Armed Forces Covenant and encourage others to support defence
- Demonstrate long-term, proactive commitment that exceeds the scheme’s baseline requirements
Gold Award holders play an important role in encouraging other organisations to strengthen their support for the Armed Forces community, helping to build a more inclusive workforce while strengthening the nation’s resilience.
The Deputy Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Sophie Porter, said: “The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award is the highest recognition for organisations that demonstrate outstanding support for the armed forces community, and we are delighted to have achieved it.
“As Aldershot is the historic home of the British Army, and Farnborough is the birthplace of aviation, we are rightly proud of our Armed Forces community.
“As a council, we regularly work closely with the Ministry of Defence and our Armed Forces community, as was demonstrated by our delivery of the hugely successful Armed Forces Day National Event last month, so achieving Gold status on our support of the Armed Forces means a great deal to us.”
Armed Forces Covenant Champion for Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Steve Masterson, added: “This award shows that Rushmoor Borough Council absolutely recognises the skills, experience and values that members of the Armed Forces community bring to the workplace.”
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