The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same.
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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, Silver and Gold 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.
The 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.
Pledge your organisation’s support via the Bronze award or express your interest in 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 must have:
- Signed the AFC and registered their interest for a Bronze award (via the ERS website).
- Confirmed their understanding of the AFC and ERS and what it means to be a supporter of the Armed Forces community with the appointed DRM.
- Informed their workforce of their positive support for the Armed Forces community.
Desirable Criteria. Factors which add value to an application. Note that the description of these allows for an assessment of evidence in the context of the scale, business model and market sector of the employer. The employer is willing to consider:
- How to develop a suitable HR framework to enable Reserve mobilisation for members of their work force.
- Provide additional leave for Reservists (i.e. Part Time Volunteer Reserves) to conduct training.
- How they would promote volunteering and support to the Cadet movement through official Cadet Force channels.
- How they ensure that Service personnel/Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruiting and selection processes.
View the ERS Bronze award holders
Silver award
Silver award holders in addition to Bronze Criteria must have:
- ERS Bronze Award status and have held it with sufficient time to have put in place the necessary essential policies and evidence to support their application. It would be unusual for an organisation to achieve Silver status within 12 months of gaining Bronze.
- Proactively demonstrate that Service personnel and Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruiting and selection processes.
- Actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards the Armed Forces community. E.g. Internally publicised positive HR policy on Reserves in their workforce. In the case where no HR policy exists this should be demonstrated by specific references in job descriptions/organisation’s website.
- Support Active Reservists (PTVRs) by:
- Having Policy in place to support mobilisations or have made a commitment evidenced by their DRM that they understand the mobilisation process and would support a mobilisation if practicable. E.g. Employers of reservists must be aware of the role of Unit Employment Support Officers (UESO) and how they support the Reservists in their work forces.
- Demonstrated support to their training by providing at least 5 days additional annual leave (ideally paid).
- A proactive relationship with their DRM, which can be demonstrated through various interactions, including but not limited to personal contact, automated communications, and engagement with supporting products or resources.
- The employer must allow flexibility for employees who are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to fit their working hours in with their volunteering.
Desirable Criteria. Factors which add value to an application. Note that the description of these allows for an assessment of evidence in the context of the scale, business model and market sector of the employer. The employer is willing to consider:
- Scoping opportunities to support the Cadet movement (via official Cadet Force channels) through the following example activities: sponsorship, supporting the development of cadets’ wider skills to enhance their future opportunities; or providing employment advice and guidance.
- Employ at least one individual from the Armed Forces community .
- Hosting a Reserve recruiting event on their premises in partnership with a local Reserve Unit or Military Command recruiting teams.
- Have inclusive policy in place to support Strategic Reserves (those with an Ex-Regular and Callout liability).
View the 2025 ERS Silver Award Holders
Gold award
Gold award holders in addition to Silver Criteria must have:Hold ERS Silver Award and have held it with sufficient time to have put in place the necessary essential policies and evidence to support their application. It would be very unusual for an organisation to achieve Gold status within 12 months of gaining Silver.
- Be an exemplar within their sector, advocating for the AFC and or ERS to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results. E.g. demonstrate proactive steps/activity and clear success in encouraging partner organisations and their supply chain to engage with and sign the AFC, and or mentor others in progressing through the ERS.
- Actively encourage a positive workplace environment for Active Reservists (Part Time Volunteer Reserves) by ensuring that positive policies in support of Reservists within the workforce are communicated to line managers and support their training by providing at least 10 days additional paid leave annually.
- Demonstrate support to the Cadet movement by committing resources to improving the outcomes for cadets. This is to be achieved by verifying they deliver one or a combination of the following through official Cadet Force channels:
1) Sponsorship (e.g. for additional resources, competitions, events and specific activities such as overseas expeditions);
2) Supporting the development of cadets’ wider skills to enhance their future opportunities;
3) Providing employment advice and guidance.
- Promote volunteering with the Cadet Forces by having policies in place that cater to offer additional paid or unpaid leave to employees who are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
- Engaged with CTP to support recruitment of Service leavers and have registered with the Forces Families Jobs website.
Desirable Criteria. Factors which add value to an application. Note that the description of these allows for an assessment of evidence in the context of the scale, business model and market sector of the employer. The employer is willing to consider:
- Support to Reserve Service and the wider Armed Forces community through internal and external communications, amplifying DRM social media messaging around Armed Forces Week, Reserves Day, ERS Gold /Silver announcements etc.
- Actively finding out the numbers of Reservists employed and have a declared target for the number of Reservists within their workforce. Ideally, they will have relationships with the relevant Unit Employment Support Officers (UESO) for reserve units in their local area.
- If there are Reservists within the workforce, the employer has positively engaged with them on how the company would support their mobilisation.
- Host a Reserve recruiting event on their premises in partnership with a Reserve Unit or Military Command Recruiting Teams.
- Where scale and business models permit, the employer should actively encourage and support an internal Armed Forces community network within their organisation.
View the 2025 ERS Gold award holders
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:
Updates to this page
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7 July 2026
The ERS gold has been updated.
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11 June 2026
The new ERS Bronze list has been updated.
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13 March 2026
The ERS Bronze and Silver list have been updated.
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28 January 2026
The ERS bronze awards list has been updated.
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13 November 2025
Updated: ERS bronze, silver and gold award holders lists; 2026 ERS Bronze award policy.
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21 October 2025
Update to Bronze, Silver and Gold Award criteria.
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21 October 2025
Update of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awardees lists (Bronze, Silver and Gold).
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25 September 2025
The ERS silver and bronze lists have been updated.
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5 September 2025
Updated Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award application form link.
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3 September 2025
The ERS list for both bronze and silver has been updated.
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1 August 2025
Updated 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2025' and 'ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2025'.
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23 July 2025
Updated: 'ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2025' and 'ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2025'.
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21 July 2025
Added 2025 Gold Award winners to ‘ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2025’
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21 February 2025
Updated 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2025'.
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5 December 2024
Updated: ERS gold, silver and bronze award holders lists.
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4 December 2024
Added links to the 2025 Silver and Gold Award Expression of Interest forms.
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20 November 2024
Updated 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2024' and 'ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2024'.
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7 October 2024
Updated 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2024'.
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23 September 2024
Updated: ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2024.
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4 September 2024
Updated: ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2024.
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22 August 2024
Updated: ERS gold and silver award holders - 2015 to 2024.
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22 August 2024
Updated: ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2023.
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22 August 2024
Updated: ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2023.
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7 August 2024
Updated: ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2024.
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27 June 2024
Updated: ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2024.
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22 May 2024
The ERS Bronze award holders list has been updated.
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20 March 2024
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) 2024 Silver Award Expression of Interest (EoI) window is now closed.
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20 February 2024
The list of ERS Bronze holders has been updated.
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14 February 2024
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) 2024 Gold Award Expression of Interest (EoI) window is now closed.
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15 December 2023
The ERS bronze awards holders list has been updated.
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30 November 2023
Added links for nominations for the ERS Silver and Gold awards.
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29 November 2023
Removed 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme' as this information is available under 'Details'.
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23 November 2023
Updated 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme'.
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9 November 2023
The ERS Bronze list has been updated.
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7 November 2023
The ERS bronze list has been updated.
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18 October 2023
ERS Bronze List 2023 has been updated.
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19 September 2023
ERS Bronze holders list 2023 has been updated.
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12 September 2023
Updated: ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2023.
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29 August 2023
The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.
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29 August 2023
The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated
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8 August 2023
The ERS Bronze list 2023 has been updated.
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7 August 2023
The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.
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2 August 2023
The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.
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26 July 2023
The ERS Silvers 2023 holders list has been updated
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24 July 2023
ERS gold holders has been updated
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24 July 2023
View the ERS Gold awards updated
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14 July 2023
Updated: 'ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2023'.
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12 July 2023
The Gold Award Holder list has been updated.
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5 July 2023
Updated: ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2023.
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4 July 2023
ERS Bronze Award holders list has been updated
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6 April 2023
Updated: 'Silver award' section in 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme'.
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13 March 2023
Bronze award holder list updated.
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2 March 2023
Added an update for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.
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22 February 2023
Bronze award holder list has been updated.
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15 February 2023
Bronze award holder list updated.
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1 February 2023
Updates have been made to the bronze award holder list.
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25 January 2023
ERS Bronze holder spreadsheet has been updated.
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18 January 2023
Updated list of bronze award holders
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10 January 2023
Updated 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme' with nomination details for the Employer Recognition Scheme.
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14 December 2022
Updated list of bronze ERS holders.
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9 December 2022
Updated list of ERS bronze holders
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2 December 2022
Updated list of bronze holders
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25 November 2022
Updated list of bronze award holders
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18 November 2022
Updated list of bronze award holders
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11 November 2022
Updated list of bronze ERS holders
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2 November 2022
List of Bronze award holders updated.
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27 October 2022
ERS Bronze holders updated
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14 October 2022
Updated list of bronze ERS award holders
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27 September 2022
Updated list of bronze holders
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22 September 2022
Updated bronze award holders
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7 September 2022
Updated ERS Bronze holders
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23 August 2022
ERS bronze holders updated
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19 August 2022
ERS 2022 Silver holders updated
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18 August 2022
ERS Bronze holders updated
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9 August 2022
'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2022' updated.
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21 July 2022
Updated list of Bronze award holders
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15 July 2022
Updated with 2022 gold winners
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1 July 2022
Updated bronze award holders
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23 June 2022
Updated list of Bronze winners
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23 May 2022
Updated list of Bronze ERS winners
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5 May 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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19 April 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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1 April 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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1 April 2022
Updated content for: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
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23 March 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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25 February 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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18 February 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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11 February 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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4 February 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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28 January 2022
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.
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6 January 2022
Updated: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme under the headings: 'Silver award' and 'Gold award'.
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1 December 2021
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders’
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29 November 2021
Updated organisation name on ERS Silver Award Holder spreadsheet
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26 October 2021
updated Bronze holder list
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24 September 2021
updated silver and bronze spreadsheets, updated the link to apply for bronze award
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22 September 2021
Updated Gold and Bronze excel lists, deleted Bronze spreadsheet from Nov 2020, deleted tips and tricks on writing a citation document
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13 August 2021
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).
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16 July 2021
"ERS gold award holders - 2021" added.
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4 June 2021
Updated: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme by adding new heading 'Privacy policy'.
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5 May 2021
changed the silver award status to closed for nominations
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18 March 2021
Marked the Gold Award winners nominations as closed.
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11 January 2021
Updated headings Gold Award and Silver Award in Defence Employer Recognition Scheme html.
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16 November 2020
Updated: ERS bronze award holders (Updated 16 November 2020).
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15 October 2020
Updated the Bronze, Silver and Gold award holder lists
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7 October 2020
Edited the silver awards holder list
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26 August 2020
updated bronze award holder spreadsheet
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10 August 2020
updated the excel list of ERS Gold award holders
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16 July 2020
updated bronze award holders list
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15 May 2020
Updated one of the criteria under the gold ERS heading.
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13 May 2020
Updated ERS bronze award holders.
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16 April 2020
Changed the silver award nominations from open to now closed.
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30 March 2020
updated the list of Bronze award holders
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12 March 2020
Update made to whether you can express your organisation' interest in the ERS Gold award.
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5 March 2020
Updated Bronze ERS award holders
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21 February 2020
Updated ERS Bronze Award Spreadsheet
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17 February 2020
Updated ERS Bronze award holders
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7 February 2020
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.
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3 February 2020
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award Holders
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27 January 2020
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award Holders
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6 January 2020
Updated the page to reflect the new openings for organisations to express their interest for the gold and silver ERS awards.
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18 December 2019
Updated the ERS Bronze Award Holder attachment
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27 November 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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19 November 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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4 November 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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18 October 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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7 October 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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20 September 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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29 August 2019
Updated lists of Bronze, Silver and Gold Award holders
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31 July 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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27 June 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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7 June 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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18 April 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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13 April 2019
Added the update that the Silver awards nominations have now closed.
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5 April 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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22 March 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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11 March 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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9 March 2019
Updated Gold Award nomination information.
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28 February 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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22 February 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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8 February 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders and added 'Region' column to list of ERS Gold Award holders
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1 February 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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17 January 2019
Updated list of ERS Bronze holders
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21 December 2018
Updated list of Bronze award holders
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17 December 2018
Updated list of Bronze Award holders. New Bronze application form and new expression of interest forms for Silver and Gold.
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28 November 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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15 November 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders
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30 October 2018
Updated lists of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders
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18 October 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders
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9 October 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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2 October 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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20 September 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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17 September 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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11 September 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders
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31 August 2018
Changed the 'Size' field for Kent County Council's Gold award listing
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30 August 2018
Changed the 'Industry' field for Kent County Council's Gold award
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22 August 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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16 August 2018
Updated list of ERS Silver and Gold award holders
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10 August 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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24 July 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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13 July 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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6 July 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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15 June 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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17 May 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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3 May 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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24 April 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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18 April 2018
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders
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16 April 2018
Updated Gold Awards with 'Gold nominations are now closed. If you have any questions regarding nominations please email employerrelations@rfca.mod.uk'.
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9 April 2018
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders
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16 March 2018
Updated the Silver ERS award nomination announcement to reflect the change that took place at 23:59 on the 15 March 2018.
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12 March 2018
Update to bronze award holders
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8 March 2018
update to bronze ERS award holders excel.
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1 March 2018
Update to bronze award listings.
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26 February 2018
Update to ERS bronze award holders.
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22 February 2018
Update to Gold and Silver ERS award holders excels.
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13 February 2018
Update to bronze award holders.
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2 February 2018
Update to bronze and silver award listings excels.
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16 January 2018
Update to silver award listings.
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11 January 2018
Update to Bronze ERS award holders listings.
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9 January 2018
Update to Silver award listings.
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5 January 2018
Update to Bronze and Silver award holders.
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27 December 2017
Update of bronze award holders.
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15 December 2017
Update to the ERS Silver award holders excel.
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11 December 2017
Update to the ERS criteria for silver and gold.
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6 December 2017
Update of the bronze award listings.
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1 December 2017
Update of ERS Bronze award holders.
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29 November 2017
Change to wording 'AFC' - 'Armed Forces Community', change to Bronze criteria and addition of updated Silver award holders.
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28 November 2017
Update to Gold and Silver gold award nominations.
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22 November 2017
Update to the bronze award holder listings.
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14 November 2017
Addition of bronze award holders.
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1 November 2017
Update of Bronze ERS awards holders.
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24 October 2017
Updated Bronze award listings.
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12 October 2017
Update of Gold award winners 2017.
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6 October 2017
Update to the Bronze ERS awards listing.
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12 September 2017
Update of companies that have received the Bronze award.
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31 August 2017
Updating bronze award listings.
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23 August 2017
Updated Bronze ERS award holders excel.
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11 August 2017
Addition of Bronze ERS award holders.
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25 July 2017
Update of Bronze ERS award holders.
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14 July 2017
Updated Bronze award listings.
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20 June 2017
Updates to the Bronze and Silver ERS holders index. Update to text in regard to Gold nominations closing.
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3 May 2017
Update to Bronze award holders listing and closed Silver nominations.
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21 April 2017
Update of the Bronze ERS Award holders listing.
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18 April 2017
Update of Bronze ERS award holders.
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10 April 2017
Update of ERS Bronze award holders.
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5 April 2017
Update of Bronze Employer Recognition Scheme index.
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28 March 2017
Update of the Bronze Employer Recognition Awards.
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21 March 2017
Update of the Bronze and Silver Award holders for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
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10 March 2017
Update to the Bronze Award Holders excel.
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3 March 2017
Update of the bronze employer recognition scheme awards holders.
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23 February 2017
Updated list of Bronze award holders
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16 February 2017
Updating Silver and Bronze Awards Employer Recognition scheme holders.
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13 February 2017
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Listings.
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6 February 2017
Updated bronze award link
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3 February 2017
Updated list of bronze award holders.
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1 February 2017
Updated list of silver awards holders from 2016.
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27 January 2017
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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20 January 2017
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award holders.
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12 January 2017
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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6 January 2017
Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.
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5 January 2017
Change to closing date for Employer Recognition Scheme gold nomination submissions.
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4 January 2017
Updated lists of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze and silver award holders.
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9 December 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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1 December 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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28 November 2016
Nominations for Employer Recognition Scheme gold and silver awards 2017 are now open. Inclusion of links to nomination forms.
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18 November 2016
Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders
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11 November 2016
Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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9 November 2016
Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme gold award winners.
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7 November 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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21 October 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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18 October 2016
Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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7 October 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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30 September 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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23 September 2016
Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders.
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16 September 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze holders.
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26 August 2016
Updated list of bronze award holders
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19 August 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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1 August 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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14 July 2016
Updated lists of Employer Recognition Scheme silver award winners and bronze award holders.
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6 July 2016
Updated list of ERS bronze holders
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1 July 2016
Closed Employer Recognition Scheme gold nominations for 2016.
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27 June 2016
Updated list of bronze award holders.
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13 June 2016
Updated list of ERS bronze award holders
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2 June 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders
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20 May 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze holders.
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4 May 2016
Updated list of ERS bronze award holders. Closing of nominations for ERS silver 2016.
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19 April 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders
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8 April 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.
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24 March 2016
Updated list of bronze award holders.
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4 March 2016
Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders
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4 February 2016
Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme silver award winners.
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26 January 2016
Employer Recognition Scheme gold award nominations now open.
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4 January 2016
Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award holders
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8 December 2015
Updated Silver and Bronze award winner lists
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30 November 2015
Update to Defence Employer Recognition Scheme silver and bronze award winners.
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24 November 2015
Update to Silver and Bronze award holders.
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20 November 2015
Announcement of the 2015 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold winners.
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16 November 2015
Update to Defence Employer Recognition Scheme silver and bronze award holders.
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21 October 2015
First published.