NSW Government Veterans Employment Program a resounding success
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is proud to announce the addition of three local councils who have joined the state-wide Veterans Employment Program (VEP) to help veterans transition from military service to civilian life.
Wagga Wagga City Council, Port Stephens Council and Cessnock City Council are the latest councils offering support to veterans who are looking for employment, with the list now growing to ten Local Governments around New South Wales.
Since its inception in 2016, the NSW Government’s VEP has seen close to 2500 veterans secure employment in the NSW public sector, smashing the original target of 200 veterans.
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the NSW Government’s Veterans Employment Program has been a resounding success and has helped veterans obtain suitable, sustainable and meaningful employment.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government made a commitment eight years ago to establish a program to help an additional 200 veterans find employment within the NSW government sector by 2019. We far exceeded that target. In 2018, 831 veterans either found work or had been offered a new role in the public service,” Mr Elliott said.
“In fact, VEP has helped more than 2450 veterans obtain employment in the NSW Government sector since 2016.”
“When I was first sworn in as the Minister for Veterans, one of my priorities was to ensure veterans are fully supported in their transition from service to civilian life.”
Lake Macquarie City Council was the first to put in place a veterans employment program in August 2020, followed by Campbelltown City Council and then the City of Newcastle, Blacktown City, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Uralla Shire and Tweed Shire councils.
Army veteran and Manager of the Veterans Employment Program Craig Delaney said the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs advocates for the benefits that veterans can provide to any employer.
“Our veterans are highly skilled with expertise suitable to a number of roles within Local Government from General Manager to HR specialists, vehicle operators and health officers. The councils that have created Veterans Employment Programs understand the value of having veterans within their workforce.” Mr Delaney said.
In 2019, the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs partnered with the Office of Local Government to develop a Local Government Rank to Grade Guide, which gives veterans a guide to understand how their skills and experience might relate to jobs in Local Government.
“During my transition from Defence, I had the opportunity to attend a Veterans Employment Workshop run by the NSW Government Veterans Employment Program. The workshop was a great resource and opportunity to learn the skills required to apply for roles within the NSW Government. The application process can be overwhelming and without the help from the Veterans Employment Program, I wouldn’t have won the role I am currently in, within Department of Communities and Justice.”
Caitlin (former Army Corporal)
Further information on the Veterans Employment Program is available here: https://www.vep.veterans.nsw.gov.au/
MEDIA:
Vanessa Till | 0419 603 586