Ottawa to help vets find public service jobs
Dedicated team will assist in navigating hiring process and adapting to new work
“(We want) to have our veterans recognized for the incredible work experience that they have, the credentials that they have.” SEAMUS O’REGAN MINISTER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
A new post-military employment initiative will help veterans find work in the Canadian public service, the minister of veterans affairs will announce Thursday.
The Star has learned that Seamus O’Regan will announce a Veterans in the Public Service Unit at the Invictus Games Veterans Career Summit Thursday morning.
The dedicated team will “lend a helping hand” to veterans navigating the Canadian public service hiring process.
“At the end of the day, what we want to have happen here is to have our veterans recognized for the incred- ible work experience they have, the credentials that they have and the contribution that they can make to the public service,” O’Regan told the Star.
The new initiative will act as a liaison between the public sector and veterans, and help veterans adapt to civilian employment and hiring.
For some veterans, leaving the military means leaving an industry they’ve known for their entire professional lives.
“So any hand that we can give them isn’t just a win for them,” O’Regan said. “Frankly, I believe firmly that it’s a win for the Public Service of Canada.” O’Regan said veterans can make an enormous contribution to the public service, and have an “incredible” amount to offer.
The announcement will launch the Invictus Game two-day career summit. Veterans can meet with more than 20 companies and career counsellors at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Osgoode Ballroom.
“Employment is a real big determinant of how those who have come back from service and who are tran- sitioning out actually are able to move on with their lives,” said Michael Burns, CEO of the Invictus Games.
Employment opportunities in Toronto, Canada and around the world will be advertised to Invictus Games competitors, their spouses and other veterans.
Hiring veterans has become a legacy for the Commissionaires, a security company that employs 6,000 veterans and will attend Thursday’s summit.
Meaningful employment is beneficial for veterans, but “they’re also a huge value to us,” said Tom Prins, the CEO of the Commissionaires’ Great Lakes Division.
“Just the leadership skills they bring, their dedication to their job, their decision-making; they’re phenomenal employees,” he said.