Support for veteran employment

One of the biggest challenges that veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life is finding meaningful employment.

This week, ACU’s Veteran Life Research unit and Industry team hosted an event at the Brisbane Leadership Centre focused on hearing from organisations that employ ADF veterans.

Representatives from Clough, Jacobs, KPMG, Brisbane Airport Corporation, St Vincent’s Healthcare Australia, Aspen Medical, Gripfast Consulting, RLS Qld, Mates4Mates, Downer, Department of Home Affairs, Defence Australia, Hanson, Pacific Aerospace Consulting, Troocoo, and the Queensland Public Service Commission gathered to reflect on the benefits veterans bring to their organisation, and discuss how veterans and the businesses that employ them can be better supported through transition, onboarding, and upskilling.

ACU was the first Australian university to establish a dedicated Veteran Entry Program, allowing current and former members of the ADF to gain entry to university based on their military training achievements.  

The next piece of the puzzle is talking to the nation's biggest employers about the skills they are looking for when recruiting veterans.

ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis emphasised the importance of collaboration.

“ACU has a firm commitment to support those men and women who have served our country.  The best way to do that is to walk in partnership with our veterans, their families, the Defence Force and industry," Professor Skrbis said.

“We know that the transition from military into civilian employment can be a challenge. The civilian workplace is very different from that of being in service. The task is to build a bridge between what employers require and what veterans can offer.”

If you are interested in joining the discussion, contact Industry@acu.edu.au