University recognised for commitment to Armed Forces community
NEWS
York St John has been awarded Gold status from the MoD Employer Recognition Scheme …
York St John has become one of only a handful of universities to receive this award, which recognises commitment to developing opportunities for members of the Armed Forces and Reservists.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. It 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.
Central to the award win is York St John University’s initiative the Military Human™ which supports and enables staff from a wide range of professions and community services to understand military culture and the complex transition to civilian life following time in the Armed Forces.
Nick Wood, Military Culture and Transition Lead at York St John, served in the Royal Navy in the Falklands in 1982 before joining the university in 2012. Since then, Nick has successfully delivered the Military Human™ training to more than 3,500 NHS and other public body staff across England and Wales.
He says: ‘Being a veteran myself I am absolutely delighted to learn that our university has received the prestigious MoD ERS Gold Award. To be recognised in this way reflects the incredible hard work by our Continued Professional Development (CPD) team, HR in supporting our Reservists, staff and students from the School of Science, Technology and Health, and York Business School, student engagement staff and colleagues who are veterans themselves. The award resonates with one of the core values we work towards, which is making a positive difference within our community, and to engage with social and community issues to enhance people’s lives for the better. It is a significant and very proud day for York St John University.’
Gold ERS Awards are given to organisations that proactively advocate and support defence, communicating this commitment both to employees and the wider community. They should have established policies and examples of support, be positive to all Services personnel during recruitment and be an exemplar within their market sector.
Vice Chancellor of York St John University, Professor Karen Bryan OBE, adds: ‘I am extremely proud that the university has received this national accolade for our support for Britain’s Armed Forces. Advocacy and commitment to the Armed Forces community is evident at all levels within York St John. This is the result of more than five years’ work by the Continued Professional Development team alongside academic and professional service colleagues across the university. My sincere congratulations to all those involved and to the other Gold Award winners.’
York St John has become only the eighth university in the UK to receive the Gold Award. It is one of 127 employers recognised this year.
Click here to read more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
About York St John University
York St John University was founded on 17 May 1841, achieving university status in 2006 and Research Degree Awarding Powers for PhD and doctoral programmes in 2015. A total of 97% of York St John University graduates are in employment or further study six months after leaving the university. It has risen 37 places in the Sunday Times Good University Guide over the past two years. Its award-winning campus in the heart of York has undergone a £46 million transformation over the past five years, including a new library and IT facilities, student accommodation, biomedical labs, a 57-acre sports park and a new Students’ Union building.
