East Riding College recognised by MoD for its support of Armed Forces community

20th October 2017 1:43pm - Return to press releases

Receiving a certificate signed by the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff, John Doris, Vice Principal of East Riding College was presented with the Silver ERS Award.  The College was among only 15 organisations from across the Yorkshire region to have been successful in winning the award. 

Presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire the Right Hon. Susan Cunliffe-Lister and Brigadier Oliver Stokes, Brigade Commander, 4^th Infantry Brigade, in a ceremony at Cutlers’ Hall Sheffield, the College was applauded for its flexible working practises and positive support for reservists, Cadet Force Adult Instructors, veterans and families of service personnel.

The ceremony, which is run by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) in Yorkshire and The Humber on behalf of 4^th Infantry Brigade was also attended by many dignitaries, including Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants of East, West, North and South Yorkshire, the Master Cutler and senior Armed Forces representatives from across the region.

John Doris, Vice-Principal of Finance and Resources of East Riding College, said of the award: "We are delighted to have received the ERS Silver Award. This, and our pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant reinforces our commitment to supporting those who serve in the Armed Forces and their families. Our College values respect for others and equal opportunity for all and this includes members of the Armed Forces community."

Brigadier Stokes said: “Tonight 15 businesses received the prestigious Silver award in recognition of the outstanding commitment they have made to the Armed Forces, whether by supporting service leavers and assisting them into employment, by assisting their staff who also serve in the Reserves, by working with military families or by supporting the region’s Cadet Forces.  These awards are important, but so is our continued relationship with employers and their continued commitment to the forces family, and we look forward to a future of mutual benefit.  Many congratulations to all the winners.”

Colonel Jason Wright, Chief Executive of the RFCA in Yorkshire and The Humber, added: “The RFCA, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, is delighted to be recognising the level of support and commitment these organisations are providing to our Armed Forces and we are enormously grateful for that support.  Their understanding of the value that reservists, ex-regulars and Cadet Force adult volunteers bring to the workplace is a great example to other employers and it is the values and high standards of the British military which make these employees stand out. They bring high levels of motivation, self-discipline, confidence, communication, teamwork, leadership, all of which make a positive contribution to any employer’s bottom line.

“Combined with professional qualifications in subjects including first aid, health and safety, driving and technical qualifications, all of which are now accredited by professional bodies, the benefits of employing military people become very compelling. I am very pleased these organisations have been recognised appropriately for their support.”