Guidance

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same.

From:
Ministry of Defence
Published
21 October 2015
Last updated
21 October 2025 — See all updates

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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 .

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鈥檚 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 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. (See Appx 1).
  • 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.聽 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鈥檚 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.聽聽 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鈥� 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聽 (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鈥� 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.聽聽 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 .

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.

Updates to this page

Published 21 October 2015
Last updated 21 October 2025 show all updates

  1. Update to Bronze, Silver and Gold Award criteria.

  2. Update of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awardees lists (Bronze, Silver and Gold).

  3. The ERS silver and bronze lists have been updated.

  4. Updated Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award application form link.

  5. The ERS list for both bronze and silver has been updated.

  6. Updated 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2025' and 'ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2025'.

  7. Updated: 'ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2025' and 'ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2025'.

  8. Added 2025 Gold Award winners to 鈥楨RS gold award holders - 2015 to 2025鈥�

  9. Updated 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2025'.

  10. Updated: ERS gold, silver and bronze award holders lists.

  11. Added links to the 2025 Silver and Gold Award Expression of Interest forms.

  12. Updated 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2024' and 'ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2024'.

  13. Updated 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2024'.

  14. Updated: ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2024.

  15. Updated: ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2024.

  16. Updated: ERS gold and silver award holders - 2015 to 2024.

  17. Updated: ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2023.

  18. Updated: ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2023.

  19. Updated: ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2024.

  20. Updated: ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2024.

  21. The ERS Bronze award holders list has been updated.

  22. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) 2024 Silver Award Expression of Interest (EoI)聽window is now closed.

  23. The list of ERS Bronze holders has been updated.

  24. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) 2024 Gold Award Expression of Interest (EoI)聽window is now closed.

  25. The ERS bronze awards holders list has been updated.

  26. Added links for nominations for the ERS Silver and Gold awards.

  27. Removed 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme' as this information is available under 'Details'.

  28. Updated 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme'.

  29. The ERS Bronze list has been updated.

  30. The ERS bronze list has been updated.

  31. ERS Bronze List 2023 has been updated.

  32. ERS Bronze holders list 2023 has been updated.

  33. Updated: ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2023.

  34. The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.

  35. The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated

  36. The ERS Bronze list 2023 has been updated.

  37. The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.

  38. The ERS Silver list 2023 has been updated.

  39. The ERS Silvers 2023 holders list has been updated

  40. ERS gold holders has been updated

  41. View the ERS Gold awards updated

  42. Updated: 'ERS gold award holders - 2015 to 2023'.

  43. The Gold Award Holder list has been updated.

  44. Updated: ERS silver award holders - 2015 to 2023.

  45. ERS Bronze Award holders list has been updated

  46. Updated: 'Silver award' section in 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme'.

  47. Bronze award holder list updated.

  48. Added an update for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

  49. Bronze award holder list has been updated.

  50. Bronze award holder list updated.

  51. Updates have been made to the bronze award holder list.

  52. ERS Bronze holder spreadsheet has been updated.

  53. Updated list of bronze award holders

  54. Updated 'Defence Employer Recognition Scheme' with nomination details for the Employer Recognition Scheme.

  55. Updated list of bronze ERS holders.

  56. Updated list of ERS bronze holders

  57. Updated list of bronze holders

  58. Updated list of bronze award holders

  59. Updated list of bronze award holders

  60. Updated list of bronze ERS holders

  61. List of Bronze award holders updated.

  62. ERS Bronze holders updated

  63. Updated list of bronze ERS award holders

  64. Updated list of bronze holders

  65. Updated bronze award holders

  66. Updated ERS Bronze holders

  67. ERS bronze holders updated

  68. ERS 2022 Silver holders updated

  69. ERS Bronze holders updated

  70. 'ERS bronze award holders - 2015 to 2022' updated.

  71. Updated list of Bronze award holders

  72. Updated with 2022 gold winners

  73. Updated bronze award holders

  74. Updated list of Bronze winners

  75. Updated list of Bronze ERS winners

  76. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  77. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  78. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  79. Updated content for: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

  80. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  81. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  82. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  83. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  84. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  85. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.

  86. Updated: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme under the headings: 'Silver award' and 'Gold award'.

  87. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders鈥�

  88. Updated organisation name on ERS Silver Award Holder spreadsheet

  89. updated Bronze holder list

  90. updated silver and bronze spreadsheets, updated the link to apply for bronze award

  91. Updated Gold and Bronze excel lists, deleted Bronze spreadsheet from Nov 2020, deleted tips and tricks on writing a citation document

  92. 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).

  93. "ERS gold award holders - 2021" added.

  94. Updated: Defence Employer Recognition Scheme by adding new heading 'Privacy policy'.

  95. changed the silver award status to closed for nominations

  96. Marked the Gold Award winners nominations as closed.

  97. Updated headings Gold Award and Silver Award in Defence Employer Recognition Scheme html.

  98. Updated: ERS bronze award holders (Updated 16 November 2020).

  99. Updated the Bronze, Silver and Gold award holder lists

  100. Edited the silver awards holder list

  101. updated bronze award holder spreadsheet

  102. updated the excel list of ERS Gold award holders

  103. updated bronze award holders list

  104. Updated one of the criteria under the gold ERS heading.

  105. Updated ERS bronze award holders.

  106. Changed the silver award nominations from open to now closed.

  107. updated the list of Bronze award holders

  108. Update made to whether you can express your organisation' interest in the ERS Gold award.

  109. Updated Bronze ERS award holders

  110. Updated ERS Bronze Award Spreadsheet

  111. Updated ERS Bronze award holders

  112. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.

  113. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award Holders

  114. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award Holders

  115. Updated the page to reflect the new openings for organisations to express their interest for the gold and silver ERS awards.

  116. Updated the ERS Bronze Award Holder attachment

  117. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  118. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  119. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  120. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  121. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  122. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  123. Updated lists of Bronze, Silver and Gold Award holders

  124. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  125. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  126. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  127. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  128. Added the update that the Silver awards nominations have now closed.

  129. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  130. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  131. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  132. Updated Gold Award nomination information.

  133. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  134. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  135. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders and added 'Region' column to list of ERS Gold Award holders

  136. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  137. Updated list of ERS Bronze holders

  138. Updated list of Bronze award holders

  139. Updated list of Bronze Award holders. New Bronze application form and new expression of interest forms for Silver and Gold.

  140. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  141. Updated list of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders

  142. Updated lists of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders

  143. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders

  144. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  145. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  146. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  147. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  148. Updated list of ERS Bronze and Silver award holders

  149. Changed the 'Size' field for Kent County Council's Gold award listing

  150. Changed the 'Industry' field for Kent County Council's Gold award

  151. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  152. Updated list of ERS Silver and Gold award holders

  153. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  154. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  155. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  156. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  157. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  158. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  159. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  160. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  161. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders

  162. Updated Gold Awards with 'Gold nominations are now closed. If you have any questions regarding nominations please email employerrelations@rfca.mod.uk'.

  163. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

  164. Updated the Silver ERS award nomination announcement to reflect the change that took place at 23:59 on the 15 March 2018.

  165. Update to bronze award holders

  166. update to bronze ERS award holders excel.

  167. Update to bronze award listings.

  168. Update to ERS bronze award holders.

  169. Update to Gold and Silver ERS award holders excels.

  170. Update to bronze award holders.

  171. Update to bronze and silver award listings excels.

  172. Update to silver award listings.

  173. Update to Bronze ERS award holders listings.

  174. Update to Silver award listings.

  175. Update to Bronze and Silver award holders.

  176. Update of bronze award holders.

  177. Update to the ERS Silver award holders excel.

  178. Update to the ERS criteria for silver and gold.

  179. Update of the bronze award listings.

  180. Update of ERS Bronze award holders.

  181. Change to wording 'AFC' - 'Armed Forces Community', change to Bronze criteria and addition of updated Silver award holders.

  182. Update to Gold and Silver gold award nominations.

  183. Update to the bronze award holder listings.

  184. Addition of bronze award holders.

  185. Update of Bronze ERS awards holders.

  186. Updated Bronze award listings.

  187. Update of Gold award winners 2017.

  188. Update to the Bronze ERS awards listing.

  189. Update of companies that have received the Bronze award.

  190. Updating bronze award listings.

  191. Updated Bronze ERS award holders excel.

  192. Addition of Bronze ERS award holders.

  193. Update of Bronze ERS award holders.

  194. Updated Bronze award listings.

  195. Updates to the Bronze and Silver ERS holders index. Update to text in regard to Gold nominations closing.

  196. Update to Bronze award holders listing and closed Silver nominations.

  197. Update of the Bronze ERS Award holders listing.

  198. Update of Bronze ERS award holders.

  199. Update of ERS Bronze award holders.

  200. Update of Bronze Employer Recognition Scheme index.

  201. Update of the Bronze Employer Recognition Awards.

  202. Update of the Bronze and Silver Award holders for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

  203. Update to the Bronze Award Holders excel.

  204. Update of the bronze employer recognition scheme awards holders.

  205. Updated list of Bronze award holders

  206. Updating Silver and Bronze Awards Employer Recognition scheme holders.

  207. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Listings.

  208. Updated bronze award link

  209. Updated list of bronze award holders.

  210. Updated list of silver awards holders from 2016.

  211. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  212. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award holders.

  213. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  214. Updated list of ERS Bronze Award holders.

  215. Change to closing date for Employer Recognition Scheme gold nomination submissions.

  216. Updated lists of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze and silver award holders.

  217. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  218. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  219. Nominations for Employer Recognition Scheme gold and silver awards 2017 are now open. Inclusion of links to nomination forms.

  220. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

  221. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  222. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme gold award winners.

  223. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  224. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  225. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  226. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  227. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  228. Updated list of ERS Bronze award holders.

  229. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze holders.

  230. Updated list of bronze award holders

  231. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  232. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  233. Updated lists of Employer Recognition Scheme silver award winners and bronze award holders.

  234. Updated list of ERS bronze holders

  235. Closed Employer Recognition Scheme gold nominations for 2016.

  236. Updated list of bronze award holders.

  237. Updated list of ERS bronze award holders

  238. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

  239. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze holders.

  240. Updated list of ERS bronze award holders. Closing of nominations for ERS silver 2016.

  241. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

  242. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders.

  243. Updated list of bronze award holders.

  244. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award holders

  245. Updated list of Employer Recognition Scheme silver award winners.

  246. Employer Recognition Scheme gold award nominations now open.

  247. Updated list of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award holders

  248. Updated Silver and Bronze award winner lists

  249. Update to Defence Employer Recognition Scheme silver and bronze award winners.

  250. Update to Silver and Bronze award holders.

  251. Announcement of the 2015 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold winners.

  252. Update to Defence Employer Recognition Scheme silver and bronze award holders.

  253. First published.

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