GOVERNMENT TAKING ACTION TO SUPPORT VETERAN EMPLOYMENT

NOMINATIONS for the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards, which highlight the contributions made by veterans in the civilian workforce and the businesses that support them, opened online today.

Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the awards, now in the third year, were an opportunity to recognise and celebrate veterans, their entrepreneurial nature, and businesses from across Australia who employ Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans and their families.

“We invest heavily in training our ADF personnel, providing them with qualities and capabilities that are valued by civilian employers — leadership, teamwork, and a strong sense of mission and purpose are all qualities employers can expect,” Mr Chester said.

“As Mark Donaldson VC has stated, hiring a veteran is good for business, and the fact that 125 businesses of all sizes have signed up to the Veterans’ Employment Commitment means that industry is hearing this message and putting its respect for the service of our veterans into action. 

“The extensive range of skills, abilities, behaviours and attributes veterans gain make them an asset to any workplace.

“The Government is committed to ensuring a successful transition for ADF members, which includes getting meaningful employment, and these awards are an important part of showcasing to the Australian community how veterans’ unique skills and experiences can add value to civilian workplaces.”

The awards are part of the broader Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program, which is aimed at supporting veterans’ employment and building an understanding in the broader community of the valuable skills of ADF personnel possess.

“Veterans and businesses are supported by the recently re-launched Veterans’ Employment website, which has a brand new toolkit to assist ADF personnel transitioning to civilian employment, and tips for businesses looking to hire them,” Mr Chester said. 

“The toolkit explains how a veteran's unique skills — based on their rank — translate to the civilian workplace, how best to plan their transition, how to apply for jobs, and provides tips for adjusting to a civilian workplace.

“These new resources will form part of the already available supports that ensure veterans are well-equipped to make the step into civilian employment, and is another example of how the Government is committed to putting veterans and their families first.”

These improvements build on the significant investment announced in the last Budget, which will see $16.2 million invested into initiatives run by not-for-profit organisations that are helping veterans transition out of ADF service and secure employment.

Information on the awards, toolkit, and VEC can be found on the new Veterans’ Employment website. Nominations for the awards are now open online and will close on 22 October 2019, with finalists announced in early 2020.