Veterans Employment Program Boosts Career Pathways

Published on 08 November 2024

Clarence Valley Council’s Veterans Employment Program & Reserves Expo has been dubbed a success with businesses and local veterans and reservists turning out to the Expo held at the Grafton Army Reserve Depot on Wednesday 6 November 2024.

The morning session gave businesses the opportunity to learn more about supporting veterans into employment to address staffing shortages felt across the region. While the afternoon session targeted veterans and reservists to explore Council’s Veterans Employment Program and other support services available to attaining civilian employment. 

Clarence Valley Council’s Veterans Employment Program seeks to attract veterans and reservists as employees by recognising the unique and transferable skills and attributes demonstrated by service personnel in their service to our country.

RSL Life Care, Defence Reserve Support, and TAFE NSW were also at the event providing support for employers and programs available for the pathway to civilian qualifications.

Clarence Valley Council’s General Manager Laura Black, who opened the Expo, said she was pleased to see so many local businesses and veterans and reservists turn up to the sessions.

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

“Like Defence, Local Government’s primary role is to serve its community. To be able to achieve this, it requires a diverse and multi skilled workforce who are upbeat, resourceful and determined.

“The ability to see and understand the big picture clearly, coupled with their skills portfolio makes veterans and reservists highly employable.”

Current Council employees, Mark Lloyd and Jason Haywood, spoke to businesses at both sessions on how they can support potential candidates and support that is available to them as a business as well as speaking to individuals about selling their transferable skills in job interviews after the military.

The Expo was also a special event for another Council staff member Keely Power-Casson (pictured below), who received a medal from the Defence Force for her work during the 2019 flood event.

To learn more about the program, visit www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/Careers/Veterans-Employment-Program