“Outstanding” work sees York St John University revalidated for MOD Gold Employer Recognition Scheme

York St John University has been revalidated for the Ministry of Defence's Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award.

The ERS Gold Award is the highest accolade for organisations that demonstrate exceptional support to the military community, including veterans, reservists, and their families. York St John first received this honour in 2020 and has now been revalidated for a further 5 years.

Over the past decade, the University has delivered the Military Human Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, training over 5,000 service providers. Participants include NHS Veterans Mental Health (Op Courage) and NHS Veterans Physical Health (Op Restore) teams, His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Justice teams, Ministry of Defence and Office for Veterans' Affairs teams, military charities, and local authorities across the UK. The program has also attracted international interest, notably from Canadian Veterans Services.

Human Resources policies at York St John have been tailored to support staff who serve as adult cadet instructors or reservists, offering additional annual leave to accommodate their commitments. Our Student Recruitment team has implemented processes to assist students from military families, including contextual offers and recognition of prior learning.

York Business School at York St John University has hosted successful Cadets Business Weekends in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, the "Beyond the Barracks" project, funded by the Office for Students (OfS), is currently being delivered. Collaboration with East Riding of Yorkshire Council has led to the provision of training on awareness of military service children.

An upcoming initiative includes the launch of a fully digital, on-demand Military Human Platform. This platform will offer CPD training, research, resources, and support information accessible 24/7, aiming to provide practitioners and learners with high-quality learning opportunities that fit around their work schedules.

Professor Karen Bryan OBE, Vice Chancellor of York St John University said:

“The launch of our digital Military Human platform illustrates just how strongly our commitment to the armed forces community runs, ensuring that more organisations than ever can equip themselves with the tools to help reduce barriers to vital public services.

"This project, alongside our other key workstreams, reflects the importance we place on championing inclusion and widening access to opportunity as a University, and I am delighted to see the  impactful work of colleagues being recognised through the continuation of our Gold Employer Recognition Scheme status.” 

The University's efforts are led by Armed Forces & Uniformed Services Manager Nick Wood. He is a former Royal Navy aircraft engineer and Falklands veteran, who has been with York St John since delivering a Veterans Awareness CPD study day in 2012. He said:

“York St John signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014 and went on to be awarded the MOD Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award in 2020, one of only 12 universities at the time. To be awarded the ERS Gold Award for a further 5 years is testament to the ongoing support of our staff and students to engage with projects, research and lectures exploring the diverse needs of the armed forces community.  

“Collectively across YSJ, people have come together and created a network of support, collaboration, inclusivity and groundbreaking impactful research and initiatives, holding true to our University core values and mission to have a positive impact in the communities we live in.”

Pauline King, Regional Employer Engagement Director RFCA Yorkshire and the Humber said:

“York St John University has maintained and exceeded momentum and delivery over the last five years and continues to be an outstanding Defence ERS Gold Award holder. As a result of this, I was delighted to present Professor Karen Bryan and the team with the 2025 Gold Award revalidation.

“The commitment, support and enthusiasm is evident in the University’s policies, training, research and collaborative projects focused on the Armed Forces community. I look forward to continuing to work with the team to explore new opportunities for research and engagement.”

In recognition of this achievement and as part the OfS-funded Beyond the Barracks project, York St John University is inviting interested staff members to join a wider military community within the institution. This aims to include veterans, reservists, spouses, students from military families, and staff with research interests in this area. Those interested are encouraged to contact Cintia Silva Huxter, Evaluation Manager for Student Success and Learning Services.

Should anyone like a copy of the work and initiatives at YSJ please email Nick Wood, Armed Forces & Uniformed Services Manager. 

Image shows (l-r): Thomas Burton, Head of Apprenticeship Delivery, Employer Engagement and Commercial Partnerships, York St John University; Pauline King, Regional Employer Engagement Director RFCA Yorkshire and the Humber, Professor Karen Bryan OBE, Vice Chancellor of York St John University; Nick Wood, Armed Forces & Uniformed Services Manager, York St John University