A delegation of business representatives from the south-west of England has visited the Defence Academy, cementing their relationships with the defence enterprise.
Co-ordinated by the Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, the group consisted of senior managers and directors from private sector organisations and businesses that recently achieved gold award recognition from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
They included:
- BlackTree Technologies
- North Tower Consulting
- Infrastar
- Allan Webb
- Computer Network Defence
- C3iA Solutions
- Wincanton
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Visiting the Defence Academy’s two principal colleges; the Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC), and the Defence College for Military Capability Integration (DCMCI), the visitors received insight into the Defence Academy’s facilities, and an introduction to its structure, purpose, and outputs.
With the latest Strategic Defence Review (SDR) citing a focus on a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to defence, the visit was able to illustrate how professional military education is delivered to regular and reserve personnel, and the value of this to businesses that employ veterans or reservists.
Accompanying the group was Defence Relationship Manager Jon Beake, who commented:
“Brought home in the recent SDR, the relationship between defence and industry, as well as with civil society, is pivotal in ensuring that the nation is properly defended against would be aggressors. It also specifically mentioned that the Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Associations were ideally placed to help deliver the required engagement to build these relationships. To that end, it was a delight for me and our Volunteer Regional Employer Engagement Group Chairman, Stephen Whitbourn, to host a group of employer representatives on a visit to The Defence Academy. From a range of sectors, the visit was intended to pull back the curtain on, and showcase, an area of defence that most outside the armed forces would not see; the education offer in a joint service, and indeed international, environment. It is these types of visits that increase UK PLC’s understanding of defence and its people, demonstrating the benefits of those in service — most particularly reservists and those entering the workforce after a military career — and as a result, help engender more support for them. It also provides business with opportunities to collaborate with defence and for both entities to learn from each other.”
Andy Goodsir, Public Sector Bid Writer for Computer Network Defence added:
"The opportunity to hear from experts within both DCMCI at the Light Weapons Wing, and then within the Technology Hub to get a flavour of the fantastic work of the Defence Academy was excellent. Then moving over to JSCSC to see the high-quality education that is delivered was very enlightening and inspiring. It certainly gave me an increased appreciation for the work of all service staff and especially reservists, and also insight into how I might become further involved in future."
Established in 2014, ERS recognises employers that provide exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and defence.
Through a three-tier approach of bronze, silver, and gold awards, it acknowledges employer’s levels of commitments to defence. Designed primarily to recognise private sector support, public sector organisations such as the emergency services, local authorities, NHS trusts and executive agencies are also eligible.