South Staffordshire College awarded a prestigious silver award for work with Armed Forces
November 2021
South Staffordshire College were thrilled to be presented with the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver award from the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Assocation (West Midlands RFCA) at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.
The ERS scheme was launched back in 2014 and recognises employers with either a bronze, silver or gold award in recognition of their support.
The college was presented with its silver award for the support given to reserves, service leavers, Armed Forces veterans, the wounded, injured and sick, cadets, military spouses or partners and their families.
Ian Pringle, who is a public services tutor at the college and an Armed Forces veteran, collected the award on behalf of the college. He said, “It was very special being asked to accept the award on behalf of the college, recognising the efforts made in supporting our college community or military veterans, reservists and their families together with proactively looking to employ those leaving HM Forces”.
Chief Executive Principal, Claire Boliver said “South Staffordshire College recognises the value serving military personnel, Reservists, veterans and their families bring not just to our society, but also to our college. We were absolutely delighted to have been presented with a silver award in recognition of our support”.
South Staffordshire College has an established relationship with the Armed Forces through its public services course which runs from the Tamworth College site. Tutors teaching on the Armed Forces course are all former Armed Forces personnel, so not only bring a wealth of knowledge but wealth of opportunities to our students through their connections. Throughout the duration of their course, public services students regularly engage with the Armed Forces on work experience and expeditions, as well as leading in the college’s Remembrance Day activities. This ensures our students are ready to take up roles within the Armed Forces upon completion of their courses, which lots do each year.
