Helping vets find jobs
IF the national unemployment rate was 30 per cent, it would be a scandal.
Any government that presided over an unemployment figure that high would rightly be chased out of office.
And yet, that’s the situation veterans are living with.
Recent research has shown the overall unemployment rate for veterans currently stands at over 30 per cent. As a number, that represents 1500 of the 5000 personnel who discharge each year.
And for those who leave for non- medical reasons, the unemployment rate is still double the national rate, sitting at 11.2 percent.
For those who are successful in finding employment, many will find themselves in a job beneath their capability and earning 30 per cent less than they did as a member of the ADF. The status quo is not good enough.
That’s why today Labor has committed $ 121 million to a comprehensive Veterans Employment Policy that will support veterans as they transition and ensure businesses can take advantage of the many benefits of employing a veteran.
Our targeted measures will strengthen the quality and number of career opportunities for our veterans to ensure their many skills and experience lead to meaningful employment. This is not about charity. We know that our servicemen and women leave the ADF as highly skilled, specialised and adaptive individuals who would be a valuable addition to any workplace.
The skills our veterans acquire during their time in the ADF are varied and highly desirable but military life is unique and it is important these skills don’t get lost in translation. While businesses are open to employing veterans, sometimes there can be specific short term skills gaps which can act as a barrier to employing an otherwise suitable applicant.
In order to address these small gaps, Labor has committed to providing eligible businesses with a training grant of up to $ 5000 to undertake any necessary training.
Labor will also undertake an education campaign designed to increase understanding amongst employers of the many benefits and transferrable skills of our ex- ADF.
In addition, we will work with states, territories and civilian professional bodies to identify circumstances where their skills can be automatically recognised.
These commitments will give businesses the opportunity to reap the many benefits of hiring a veteran.
The process of transitioning from the ADF to civilian life can be jarring. Veterans have told me they need more personalised support when they leave the ADF and Labor will deliver this. We will establish an employment and transition service which will provide greater individualised and tailored support to transitioning veterans over a longer period of time.
This service will provide greater employment assistance and work with veterans to identify any other possible barriers to successful transition.
We know that in order to obtain and maintain employment individuals need to have a solid career plan and receive good career advice.
This service will work with those transitioning to achieve their goals and if needed will provide additional funding for extra training to ensure a smooth transition.
In addition, the service will ensure that other barriers to a successful transition are considered as a part of this process, this includes access to secure housing, and good social support.
Importantly, this service will be available longer for those who have left the ADF, meaning that if there are issues further down the track, the gate is no longer closed behind them.
They have given so much to us – and we need to work harder to get them back into work. AMANDA RISHWORTH, Opposition spokesman for
Veterans Affairs.