Speech, Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards

Minister Keogh Speech
Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards
Parliament House, Canberra

I’d also like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay tribute to their Elders past and present.

I extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who join us tonight.

I acknowledge, all those who have, or continue to serve our nation in our uniform, and families who support them.

These awards are about showcasing the talent of our veteran community and to recognise the organisations that are leading the way in veteran employment – and that is certainly what we’ve seen tonight.

I’d like to give a big congratulations to all our nominees, finalists and winners.

After listening to your stories, I don’t think any employer can be in doubt about how their organisation could benefit from recruiting veterans and veteran families into the civilian workforce, no matter the industry.

I want to draw your attention to what Commissioner Kaldas said at the National Press Club earlier today,

“I want to take a moment to correct the common misconception that all veterans are broken.

We know that is definitely not the case.

The vast majority of those who serve in the ADF have rewarding careers and go on to successfully transition to civilian life. The extensive range of skills, abilities and attributes developed during the military service mean veterans are well regarded by the private sector employers across a diverse range of industries, particularly in a tight labour market such as we have at the moment. And many make a valuable contribution to their communities and broader society in their post service life.”

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The attributes our defence personnel possess: leadership, teamwork, agility, an ability to work under pressure, are skills in demand in every organisation.

A fact that in this room we have long known, and that as a Government we are committed to spreading the message of, far and wide.

Our Government’s $24 million Veteran Employment Program, launched this year, is delivering on a commitment to shift the approach we're taking to supporting veterans into the civilian workforce.

We know that for many of you it hasn’t been easy to roll your experience from the ADF into a formal qualification, or see the application in the civilian workplace.

We’ve learnt those lessons of the past.

We're working to better recognise the pre-existing capability veterans have and make it easier for them to be more universally competitive in the labour market.

The Veteran Employment Program is a game changer, not only empowering Australian veterans, but also supporting civilian employers to better understand the unique value veterans can bring to their businesses.

The Veteran Employment Program includes the establishment of a Recruitment Advisory Service to support employers target, build and sustain veteran employment and retention.

The Program also features a Recognition of Prior Learning Program that will provide funding in order to establish or enhance recognition of prior learning frameworks for veterans, pursuing further study within tertiary institutions, or for vocational qualifications.

Each and every one of you knows the benefits of employing veterans, and veteran family members, I encourage you to spread the word.

Because it’s a win-win situation.

For veterans and their families, a job means independence, a sense of purpose, connection to a community – all things that help smooth the transition from military to civilian life.

And for employers, the benefit of gaining a highly skilled and motivated employee speaks for itself.

The same is true for partners and families of service personnel, because we know only too well the challenges they face when forging their own careers.

Defence partners are the most highly qualified group of under employed Australians there are.

To the organisations here tonight, you know better than anyone the value that veterans and veteran families bring to the workplace.

Spread the word.

Put the principles of the Veteran Employment Commitment that many of you have signed, into practice, and get other employers to sign up too.

Now, before we announce the winner of our final award, I want to thank our main sponsors, Westpac and Raytheon Australia – it’s your generous support that makes this evening possible.

And my thanks to our other sponsors, Boeing, KONEKT, Navantia, Viasat, Serco and CAE Australia.

But now, let’s get to the final award for the evening: the Outstanding Employer of the Year.

Thank you.