Gold award for support of the Armed Forces community at LJMU

LJMU has received a gold award from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) acknowledging how it provides support to the Armed Forces community.

The award, the highest of those available from the MoD, comes just over 18 months after the university gained initial bronze status, in Autumn 2022, and then silver status, in Spring 2023.

The award recognises how LJMU continues to actively demonstrate support for the Armed Forces community since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021. In particular, the gold award acknowledges how the university proactively demonstrates its forces-friendly credentials as part of its recruitment and selection processes, its support for reservists and cadet force volunteers within the workforce, and how it advocates support to defence people issues both within the university and with external partner organisations.

I’m incredibly proud that the university has been recognised for its pivotal role as an employer in supporting the Armed Forces community.

At LJMU we recognise the valuable contribution that our reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and veterans make in our communities and the significant contributions they bring to the university from their diverse military experience.

To achieve gold status in such a short period of time is testament to the determination of our Armed Forces Steering Group in driving forwards our commitment under the Armed Forces Covenant.

LJMU Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Mark Power

This year LJMU has strengthened its links with veteran charities Help for Heroes and Invictus, and for Remembrance 2023 staff and students took part in activity to support the Royal British Legion. This is in addition to LJMU’s ongoing work through its Armed Forces Champion and Armed Forces Steering Group to create better pathways and awareness for veterans of routes into higher education, to provide enhanced support to staff and to students, and to pursue cross-faculty research and knowledge exchange opportunities that influence decision-making bodies and bring about positive change to the wider community.

Further background to the 2024 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards

A total of 193 organisations have been recognised by the UK Government with the highest badge of honour for supporting the Armed Forces community as part of the 2024 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards.

This year organisations of all sizes, from all sectors and from across the UK have been successful including Stirling Highland Games, Expedia.com, Google and B&Q. In total, 33 sectors are represented from healthcare and education to recruitment and food and beverage.

Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns, said: “Our Armed Forces community make incredible sacrifices to keep the nation safe, and it is only right that they are welcomed and valued in the workplace when they leave service. This scheme aligns with this government’s determination to renew the nation’s contract with our Armed Forces.

“I would like to thank the nearly 200 organisations that have been recognised with a gold award this year. Their continued support ensures that our Armed Forces community are given opportunities needed to flourish.”