Veterans Employment Program

Your time in the military has equipped you with all the necessary skills required to succeed in Local Government (LG).

Ex-service personnel have such a unique and extensive skills portfolio; leadership, teamwork, initiative, accountability and communication, are just some of the skills that are transferable into Local Government.

• Your ability to see and understand the big picture clearly, coupled with your skills portfolio, makes you highly employable.
• However, if you don't know what your own skills are and how they can transfer to LG, you are going to limit your chances of gaining employment.
• Your ability to communicate your skills and attributes to an interview panel is paramount; the NSW Local Government Rank 2 Grade Guide and Local Government Capability Framework are two resource tools that where designed to assist both ex-service personnel and hiring managers to understand what are transferrable skills.

You will be quite surprised when you realise the similarities between Local Government and Defence.

The scale and diversity of the work Local Government is required to conduct, means that there are many different career pathways available within the organisation. Like Defence, Local Government's primary role is to serve its community, to be able to achieve this, LG requires a diverse and multi skilled workforce, who are upbeat, resourceful and determine.

The Careers at Council website is an excellent resource for you to gain a great understanding about unique and diverse employment opportunities available within Local Government.

Clarence Valley Council conducts regular training to educate our leaders and hiring managers on the unique skills and attributes that veterans have to offer.

As a result of this training, our hiring managers have a greater understanding of the 'soft skills' that all veterans possess; and how these skills and attributes are transferable to a wide range of positions within Local Government.

Whether its upskilling or gaining a new Tertiary qualification, we are willing to assist you achieve your goals.

Through Access EAP, Clarence Valley Council offers a number of free, confidential services including financial, counselling, marriage and career coaching with our service provider, for yourself, your family and close friends.

If you are an employee other than a casual, and you have formally advised Council that you are a member of the Australian Defence Forces Reserve, you can access up to four weeks paid leave per financial year to attend Defence Force duties.

Local Government Rank to Grade Guide was developed to help both hiring managers and veterans understand how ADF skills and experience align with public sector jobs. Use this guide as a tool to help you identify where your skills and qualifications align you to.

Local Government Capability Framework sets out the essential knowledge, skills and abilities needed to work effectively in Local Government. The guide outlines the requirements of Council roles and how veterans military experience can fulfil these needs at all employment levels.

Veteran Employment Program (VEP) is a communication and education platform that supports both veterans and hiring managers.

VEP continues to build a network of champions and partners to help promote the skills veterans can bring to Local Government.

Defence Members and Family Support (DMFS)has developed a ADF Member and Family Transition Guide which contains information on the transition process, as well as, information on support services and administrative requirements.

• One of the support programs available to transitioning, or transitioned personnel, is the Defence Force Transition Program.
• This program has various workshops, training, programs and advice, which is designed to assist you, and your family, with your transition.
• Note:most of these programs can be continued to be accessed for up to 12 months after you transition, with some up to 24 months. However, you will need a referral from an ADF Transition Coach before you can access this program.

ADF Transition & Civil Recognition Project (ADFTCR) was established to undertake the work on aligning military skills and civilian qualifications. They will help you to understand what civilian employers want and how to express your service in a way that any employer can understand and value.

ADF Member and Family Transition Seminar is held nationally throughout the year, and are designed to help you and your family plan and prepare for life outside of the military.

Remember: it's not just you who is transitioning out of the military, its your family as well, taking your spouse or family member to one of these transition seminars will increase your chances of a smooth and successful transition.

• Australian Defence Force Guide for Employers of Veterans
• Skills Guide Seaman(N)-Private(A)-Aircraftman woman(AF)
• Skills Guide Abel Seaman-Lance(N)-Corporal/Bombardier(A)-Leading Aircraftman/woman(AF)
• Skills Guide Leading Seaman(N)-Corporal/Bombardier(A)-Leading Aircraftman/woman(AF)
• Skills Guide Petty Officer(N)-Sergeant (A)(AF)
• Skills Guide Chief Petty Officer(N)-Warrant Officer Class 2(A)-Flight Sergeant(AF)
• Skills Guide Warrant Officer(N)-Warrant Officer Class 1(A)-Warrant Officer(AF)
• Skills Guide Acting Sub Lieutenant(N)-2nd Lieutenant(A)-Pilot Officer(AF)
• Skills Guide Sub Lieutenant(N)-Lieutenant(A)-Flying Officer(AF)
• Skills Guide Lieutenant(N)-Captain(A)-Flight Lieutenant(AF))
• Skills Guide Lieutenant Commander(N)-Major(A)-Squadron Leader(AF)
• Skills Guide Commander(N)-Lieutenant Colonel(A)-Wing Commander(AF)
• Skills Guide Captain(N)-Colonel(A)-Group Captain(AF)

Education NSW offers fee-free training for all veterans and their recognised partners.

You can learn new skills and qualifications which will compliment your ADF skills and attributes to help you find the right job and have a rewarding civilian life.

TAFE NSW Ranks to Recognition works in partnerships with NSW Office for Veterans Affairs to assist Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans and their spouses and partners to transition into the civilian workforce.

Ranks to Recognition offers a wraparound service including careers advice, skills assessment, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning (RPL) and training gap analysis to help identify the skills and knowledge acquired in the ADF.