Nominations open for 2023 Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards

The search is on for Australia’s leading veteran employers and employees, with nominations for the 2023 Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards now open.

There’s no doubt that following their service in the Australian Defence Force, veterans can go on to make a massive impact on the success of businesses in civilian life.

These Awards showcase the talent on offer in the veteran community, as employees and entrepreneurs, and also recognise the organisations that actively recruit, employ and support veterans and families.

Meeting with veteran focused companies at the Avalon 2023 Australian International Airshow today, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the Awards shine a light on the great skills gained in service that veterans can bring to the civilian workforce. 

“There are so many benefits to employing a veteran in the diverse civilian workforce, they bring with them skills like leadership, teamwork, agility, discipline and an ability to work under pressure – all critical skills in the modern economy, all in demand by employers,” Minister Keogh said.

“Veterans make an amazing contribution to all sectors of the civilian workforce, but it is clear they play a particularly important role in defence industry. Here at Avalon there are some awesome businesses that employ or are run by veterans. Veterans in the defence industry continue contributing to the sovereign capability of our nation, as they equip the next generation of defence personnel with what they need.”

Veteran-owned company, AeroPM, won the Outstanding Veterans’ Employer of the Year Award in 2020 and said employing veterans was a good business move for the company.

“When veterans leave Defence, we support their transition into Defence Industry to retain their knowledge, passion and dedication within the Defence community,” said AeroPM CEO Emily Frizell.

 “At AeroPM we value a veteran’s skillset. It’s good for the veteran and good for business to retain their specialised knowledge and expertise, and reshape these to support acquisition of Defence capability.” 

Minister Keogh said the Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards are just one way the Albanese Government is working to support veteran employment.

“The $24 million Veteran Employment Program funded in the 2022-23 Budget will build on existing initiatives to raise awareness, highlight the benefits of employing veterans and veteran families, provide support to businesses to attract, recruit and retain veterans, and provide support to translate veterans’ military skills and experience for the civilian workplace.”

The Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards feature eight award categories, including the recent additions of Partner Employee of the Year and Partner Entrepreneur of the year – acknowledging the contributions of Veteran and ADF partners to the civilian workforce. 

Nominations for the 2023 Awards close 14 April 2023, with the winners expected to be announced later this year.

For more information on the Awards and to nominate, visit the Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Program website at www.veteransemployment.gov.au