Wakefield Council awarded prestigious Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award
Monday, July 21, 2025
Wakefield Council has received national recognition for its outstanding support of the Armed Forces community.
The Council has been awarded the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, the MOD’s highest accolade for organisations that demonstrate outstanding support of the Armed Forces community.
“We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. We’re committed to making Wakefield a place where members of the Armed Forces community feel understood and respected.
“To be acknowledged by the Ministry of Defence as a leading employer on this is a fantastic achievement and it reflects the great effort of our staff to meet the principals of the Armed Forces Covenant. We look forward to continuing our work as a Gold organisation and making sure we reflect these values in everything we do for our Armed Forces community.”
Cllr Josie Pritchard
Armed Forces Champion
This national award celebrates Wakefield Council’s exceptional commitment to supporting serving personnel, reservists, veterans, military families and Cadet Force Adults Volunteers (CFAVs) through its workplace policies, partnerships and advocacy.
In addition to local policies, including on additional paid leave for Reservists and Cadets, Wakefield Council actively advocates for the employment of veterans and service leavers to local business and partner organisations. This work on inclusive recruitment benefits veterans, promotes the unique skills and experiences they bring to the workforce, and strengthens our local economy.
There are three tiers of award – Bronze, Silver and Gold – for employers who pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to the Armed Forces Community in alignment with the Armed Forces Covenant. The Gold Award places Wakefield Council amongst a select group of UK employers recognised for leading the way in Armed Forces engagement and advocacy.
Find out more about the support we give the Armed Forces community on our Armed Forces Support web pages.