Veterans will benefit from specialised one-on-one support to help them find employment or change careers through the Support for Employment (SFE) program launched this week.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the SFE program built on the Government’s improvements to transition and employment support made in recent years and would deliver further pre-and-post employment assistance.
“Our ADF personnel have a great range of skills, expertise and a positive attitude to see them succeed in the civilian workplace. Simply put, hiring a veteran is good for business,” Mr Chester said.
“In order to ensure our veterans are putting their best foot forward, the SFE will provide up to 10 hours of one-on-one support across a range of employment services, including resume writing, job seeking support, interview preparation and workplace adjustment.
READ MORE: Greek Australian veterans, and their moving 25 March tribute to heroes of 1821
“This will better support veterans to secure appropriate employment or change careers and is another step in the right direction as part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a successful transition for ADF members.
Hellenic RSL President Steve Kyritsis, a former Vietnam veteran himself, knows firsthand the trials faced by veterans on their return home.
“This is a great initiative by the Federal Government to secure employment for veterans upon returning home from duty or discharged from the Australian Forces,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“We have to remember, there are no Australian troops involved in a conflict overseas, but there are over 3.000 Australian troops serving as peace keepers around the world, which upon returning home and some do get discharged, and into the work force.
“Veterans need this support to adjust their lives and rehabilitate as quick as possible in the Civilian work force, with the support from the Government and employers.
In general, also helps them back to their family life which in many cases it’s not so easy.”
The SFE program is open to veterans who have transitioned from the permanent ADF between 12 months and up to five years ago and are unemployed, consider themselves to be under-employed, seeking assistance to change careers, or require support to adjust to the civilian workplace. It is part of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program, which supports veterans’ employment and the promotion of their skills in the civilian workforce. For more information visit www.veteransemployment.gov.au.
