New jobs help on the way for military spouses

Military spouses across Canada will be able to get help in finding a new career as the METSpouse program expands this April.

Canada Company — a federal charity that helps military members transition into civilian life with a focus on finding new employment — in partnership with Military Family Services plans to expand the METSpouse program coast to coast on April 19.

METSpouse is designed to address underemployment among spouses of active, reserve and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces by leveraging opportunities through the Canada Company’s existing Military Employment Transition Program, which helps members of the Canadian Armed Forces transition into civilian careers. The issue affects as many as 4,300 military families in the Edmonton area alone.

“The METSpouse program recognizes that the spouses of our military and veterans face unique employment realities and challenges,” said Canada Company president Angela Mondou, in a recent statement.

“METSpouse is a chance to put our expertise to work for military spouses while creating more opportunities for Canadian businesses to benefit from our remarkable military community.”

Launched as a pilot program between December and April 2016, the METSpouse program found stable employment for 51 military spouses in seven locations from Manitoba to Nova Scotia.

The program already has 375 spouses registered who are ready to match their skills and experience with careers offered by more than 120 employer partners.

“The METSpouse program changed my life,” said Julianne Oakes, a military spouse.

“Belairdirect hired me directly from the program’s job fair in Ottawa and I’ve fallen in love with my new career.”