Employer and Employee Support

One of the main questions asked by potential recruits to the Reserve Forces is: "How will joining effect my civilian career?" The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) offers support and information to employers and employees through the Ministry of Defence Employer Support Campaign known as SaBRE (Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers). SaBRE was set up to establish, develop and maintain relationships between the Reserve Forces and the business community and to promote the benefits to employers of employing Reservists.

The RFCA's employer support office promotes the employer-employee relationship in the following ways:

• Promotes the benefits a business would gain by employing Reservists through promotions, presentations and press releases. SaBRE seeks to spread the message to employers that when employing a Reservist not only are they employing a loyal, organised, hardworking team player, but they are potentially gaining a highly skilled individual as well. SaBRE currently estimates that, on average, a Reservist receives up to £9,000 pa worth of training in skills that can be transferred to the civilian workplace. Such skills acquired are wide ranging from Time and Personnel management to driving certificates (HGV and LGV). This is impressive when compared with the average civilian employee who receives, on average, only £822 worth of personnel development training per year.
• Organising events in which employers can visit their employees. RFCAs arrange for employers to visit their employees whilst on exercise so that they can better understand their employee's role within the Reserve Forces and the transferable skills they acquire while serving. Take, for example, the recent visit of employers and local press from the North East to exercising Royal Marines Reservists taking part in Exercise Hair Spring in Norway.
• Works to recognise supportive employers by issuing certificates of appreciation and recognition as well as by organising receptions with dignitaries from the civilian and military world to thank employers for their support and thus their contribution to our nation's defence capability. One of the most prestigious events was hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales at Highgrove.
• Advises employers and employees on all matters relating to the Armed Forces. The RFCA advises each party on their rights and obligations to each other to ensure a good working relationship between the business community and the Reserve Forces.
• Raises the profile of the Armed Forces within the community. The RFCA achieves this by helping to organising events such as the TA 100 Durham Tattoo, which will celebrate the centenary of the Reserve Forces and their outstanding achievements and contributions to the nation's defence over the past 100 years.