University celebrates silver award for armed forces support
The Ministry of Defence has recognised Staffordshire University for its commitment to the armed forces community.
The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for organisations that go above and beyond to align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant, which Staffordshire University signed up to in 2017.
Professor Kevin Hetherington, Staffordshire University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are thrilled to have achieved silver status through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. Staffordshire University has been a longstanding supporter of the armed forces and we’re proud to include those individuals in the military and those preparing for resettlement through Staffordshire University degrees as part of our student body and alumni.
“We also employ reservists, veterans and military partners within our workforce – and we recognise the benefits that their service and experiences bring to our University community.”
Since 2004, Staffordshire University has been an approved provider of degree programmes to the MoD and currently has nearly 2,000 armed forces students around the world studying on a range of courses, including Aviation, Education, Engineering, Intelligence, IT, Law, and Leadership and Management.
The University has recently updated its HR policies to support reservists who are part of the workforce, providing them with the support and confidence to deploy or meet training commitments without having to worry about their civilian employment.
It also supports local and regional charities through membership of the Staffordshire Corporation and Stoke-on-Trent City Council Armed Forces Committees.
Major General Mark Overton, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reservists and Cadets), commented: “A Silver Award recognises the fantastic efforts of employers throughout the UK who have both elevated their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and provided actual benefits to the armed forces community. The winners should all be proud of their life-changing impact and fresh opportunities they are providing to our reservists, veterans and their families.”
Discover more about Staffordshire University’s range of HM Forces courses.
Amy Platts
Media Communications Officer
t: 01782 292702
m: 07799 341911
e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk
Staffordshire University’s ambition is to become the UK’s best modern university. An institution with a strong civic mission, it has committed to being a ‘catalyst for change’ for students and businesses, positively impacting wider society and the regional economy.
Staffordshire University was named a Top 5 university in the UK and ranked Top 10 for job prospects in the StudentCrowd University Awards 2022 – based entirely on student reviews. It also ranked Top 10 for Social Inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) classed 68% of the University’s research as world leading or internationally excellent and 87% of its ‘research impact’ was judged to be outstanding or very outstanding.
Substantial investment in innovative technologies and teaching environments ensure next generation courses and education are delivered across all three campuses in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and London
