Sparsholt College Group has been awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award in recognition of its ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.
The award, presented by the Ministry of Defence through the Employer Recognition Scheme, recognises organisations that go beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments to actively support reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers and military families within their workforce and wider community.
Sparsholt College Group was among 34 organisations across the South East to receive the Silver Award, demonstrating its dedication to ensuring members of the Armed Forces community are supported in education and employment and are not disadvantaged through recruitment or workplace practices.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. Silver Award holders are required to demonstrate practical support for the Armed Forces community through positive employment policies, active communication of those policies, support for reservists and engagement with the cadet movement.
The award builds on Sparsholt College Group’s existing commitment to the Armed Forces community through its support for military personnel, veterans and their families across its colleges and campuses. The College Group has previously signed the Armed Forces Covenant and has worked to create an inclusive and supportive environment for those with military connections.
Assistant Principal at Sixth Form Andover College Campus, Nikki Yates said: “At Sparsholt College group, incorporating Andover Campus and Sparsholt Campus, we are absolutely thrilled to have achieved our Silver Employer Recognition Scheme award. It is a moment we are incredibly proud of as a college community. Situated at the heart of an area with a strong military presence, supporting our armed forces community is something that runs deep in everything we do, it isn’t just a policy, it is a genuine commitment that we take seriously at every level of our organisation. We pride ourselves on being a workplace that backs our staff who serve, whether they are full-time members of the armed forces or dedicated reservists balancing two incredibly demanding roles. We want every one of them to know that they have our full support and understanding.
Beyond our staff, we are equally passionate about the experience of our service children who come to us as students. These young people often navigate unique challenges such as frequent moves, periods of separation from a parent, and the need to adapt constantly, yet they bring with them extraordinary resilience, fresh perspectives, and personal strength that enriches our college community. We work hard to ensure that they, and their families, feel seen, valued, and supported from the moment they walk through our doors.
We recognise that there is always more we can do, and we are committed to continually improving the ways in which we support our military families. This award is a fantastic acknowledgement of the armed forces-friendly values and policies we actively promote across our campuses, and it motivates us more than ever to keep building on the work already being done.”
The team are excited to accept this award officially at the presentation ceremony in July.
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