Ex-service people can bring a range of skills that can benefit any employer or industry such as leadership, teamwork, agility and the ability to work under pressure.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is an incredible training ground, but when they leave the military, some ex-service people experience challenges promoting their ADF skills when applying for civilian jobs.
Yesterday, Australia’s Repatriation Commissioner, Kahlil Fegan DSC AM, appeared on ABC News Breakfast to discuss the valuable skills ex-service people bring to the workforce and how employers can support them and benefit from their unique skillsets.
‘Each of our veterans that are serving have particular skillsets that they become absolute experts in… there's also these values that are inculcated in our defence men and women,’ Commissioner Fegan said.
‘Respect, having integrity, having courage, seeking excellence in everything you do and loyalty… those values actually mean something.
‘When they leave the military, they don't hand those back into the Q Store on the way out, they come with them and they're the particular attributes or values that they can then apply to a new environment if they get the chance.’
See more of the interview below.
The Australian Government’s Veteran Employment Program (VEP) delivers initiatives that support Australian organisations to improve employment outcomes for veterans. A key initiative is the Veteran Employment Commitment (VEC) which recognises organisations for their current workplace policies and practices that support veteran employment.
Ex-service people can use the search function on the Veteran Employment Program website to find organisations that demonstrate their commitment to employing veterans and creating environments where they can perform at their best.
Information on how to join the VEC, as well as employment resources for employers, ex-service people and family members can be found on the Veteran Employment Program website.