Employing veterans – A good move for organisations
Tax-payers have significantly invested in military personnel, whose exceptional skills and experiences will see them thrive in NSW Government roles, for the benefit of the state.
In addition to their technical and trade skills, veterans acquire many ‘nontechnical’ skills during their military careers, which have direct transferability to NSW Government roles. These ‘nontechnical’ skills include:
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Strong written and oral communication
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Experience working in diverse environments
- Flexibility, agility and resilience
- Leadership and teamwork
- Dependability, loyalty and integrity.*^
* Kimberley Curry Hall et al, Veteran Employment – Lessons from the 100,000 Jobs Mission. (Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2014);
^Chaitra M. Hardison et al, What veterans bring to civilian workplaces. (Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2015).
The Veterans Employment Program is a merit-based campaign to employ former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel into the NSW Government.
Meeting the needs of veterans and the NSW Government
Almost 1,300 ADF people discharge from the ADF into NSW annually. These individuals represent a highly trained and work ready resource pool.
Employing former ADF people into NSW Government roles will:
- provide these individuals with diverse and rewarding careers after the military; and
- ensures their highly transferable skills and experience assist the government to make NSW the best state it can be.
Engaging veterans and the NSW Government
NSW Government-led research has shown that while former military personnel are well suited to government careers, there is generally a lack of understanding of military skills and attributes, often hindering the employment of veterans.
As such, a key element of the Veterans Employment Program is an education and collaboration campaign to help NSW Government employers understand veterans’ skills and consider employment opportunities for veterans.
The Veterans Employment Program web portal assists veterans with resources like an ADF Rank–NSW Government Grade Matcher, information about position descriptions and employment capabilities, and case examples of how veterans have secured employment in NSW Government roles. An informal mentoring program with veterans currently employed in NSW Government roles will also support ADF people looking to enter the government sector.
A rewarding career with the NSW Government
To deliver services to 7.5 million people across NSW, the government employs for a wide-range of roles, including within health, education, housing, transport and infrastructure. What is common to these diverse roles, however, is a commitment to service; a quality that comes naturally to those who serve in the military.
In addition, there are many benefits that come with a NSW Government career. These include the chance to engage in stimulating and state-significant work, support for career progression and mobility, a diverse sector, and flexible work arrangements that support employees’ work–life balance.
Reach out
For more information, visit the Veterans Employment Program web portal and/or the Facebook page.