Released 03/09/2020
The ACT Government has launched a new Veterans' Employment Strategy and information portal to help support the transition of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families into civilian life in the ACT.
Minister for Seniors and Veterans Gordon Ramsay said the ACT Government wanted to encourage more veterans and their families to move to the ACT for work, and more local businesses to consider employing veterans.
"The ACT Government values the skills and experience veterans can bring to our local businesses, helping us to diversify our economy and create jobs," said Minister Ramsay.
"The ADF has some of the most highly trained and skilled people available in the workforce, and they have a lot to offer our local businesses and other organisations.
"Veterans have the skills and training to undertake work in a wide variety of roles and a variety of industries, including in the ACT public service, the federal public service or in the private sector, and are a significant asset to their employers.
"We know there are also many growth industries in the ACT, like defence, cyber, space and advanced technology, that are currently benefiting from the employment of veterans.
"Here in Canberra, local businesses like Penten and AeroPM are leading the way in employing veterans, and we want to encourage other businesses to follow."
The ACT is leading the country in the employment of veterans, with the ACT Public Service winning the Public Sector Excellence in Supporting Veteran Employment Award and AeroPM winning the Outstanding Veterans' Employer of the Year Award at the 2020 Prime Minister's Veterans Employment Awards.
Minister Ramsay said veterans and their families could find out about job opportunities and the benefits of living in Canberra with a new dedicated ACT Government information portal at www.act.gov.au/veterans.
"This new portal offers ADF personnel, veterans and their families an overview of the opportunities in Canberra, the great lifestyle on offer and support services that are available to help them transition to civilian life."
The Veterans Employment Strategy follows the release of the ACT Government's Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan, which outlines the government's commitment to keeping Canberrans employed and growing jobs to reach a target of more than 250,000 jobs by 2025.
"Veterans have fundamental core skills that are highly sought after by some of our key sectors, particularly defence. By encouraging more veterans to come to Canberra, our key industries grow stronger and more jobs and opportunities will be created in the long term."
Quotes attributable to David Munro, member of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council for Veterans and their Families:
"The Veterans ACT website provides all the information veterans and their families need when contemplating a move to Canberra. The portal has a wealth of information with everything from schools, employment and support services to local ex-service organisations with a wide range of interests.
"The new Veterans' Employment Strategy also builds on the ACT Government's enthusiasm towards supporting veterans in the workplace. "I am delighted to see the ACT Government supporting our veteran community."
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases