31 March 2017
First meeting of Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan has said business leaders on the Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment had an important job developing strategies that would help veterans find meaningful employment as the committee met for the first time in Sydney today.
The Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment is an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program, launched in November.
The committee is chaired by George Frazis, chief executive of the Consumer Bank Division of Westpac Group and a former member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF); the Deputy Chair is Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG, and general manager of Seven Brisbane and Regional Queensland.
The committee comprises representatives of business organisations and will meet regularly to develop strategies that encourage industry to recognise the unique skills and experience that members of the ADF can bring to the workplace.
At today’s meeting, the Committee established a number of priority areas of focus, including availability of data on the employment profile of veterans, improving the transition process from the ADF and translating skills and raising awareness of the value that former members of the ADF offer to Australian businesses.
“The private sector is best-placed to develop the strategies to fully harness the talents of our ADF personnel and support them in post-military employment,” Mr Tehan said.
“As the Prime Minister has observed, one of the challenges faced by ADF personnel after they leave the military is communicating their skills in a language the private sector understands and that will be one of the issues addressed by the Industry Advisory Committee.”
“Since the Government added the ability to flag vacancies on its jobactive website as suitable for former ADF members, more than 300 positions have been flagged by employers which shows there is a genuine interest among the business community in the skills our veterans can bring to the workplace.
“The committee will also help develop the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Annual Awards, an annual award to launch this year that will recognise the excellent work done by small, medium and large businesses employing veterans.”
“Today’s discussion set a solid foundation for the committee to address various matters that will improve the lives of our veterans, including their transition to employment after service, capturing reliable data, and raising industry awareness to increase opportunities and wellbeing of our ex-service people,” Mr Frazis said.
Media enquiries:
Media DeMinister Tehan’s Office: Byron Vale, 0428 262 894
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203tail
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 45 46). VVCS is a service founded by Vietnam veterans.