Since October 2022 there have been 773 veteran hires, ahead of the 18-month target of 750. This includes 239 veterans hired into roles in the last 6 months across various government departments, led by the Department of Education, Department of Communities and Justice, and NSW Health.
Managed by the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Employment Program gives former service men and women a better understanding of the public sector job application process. The program is on track to secure 2,000 jobs for veterans by December 2026.
Local governments around the state are also the beneficiaries of veterans’ skills and experiences, with 14 councils creating veterans employment programs.
City of Sydney reports that since joining the program, veterans applying for roles have more than twice the success rate of non-veteran applicants.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Veterans, David Harris:
“I am pleased that the NSW Government continues to exceed the employment targets set. This is a wonderful program that assists many veterans find meaningful employment opportunities after transitioning from defence.
“Veterans’ skills and attributes are readily adaptable to government employment, and I am delighted to see more veterans transitioning from the ADF to public service roles.
“This program is instrumental in helping veterans enjoy a better transition from military service to civilian life, and the NSW Government gains invaluable skills, knowledge, and experience.”
Quotes attributable to Craig ‘Dallas’ Delaney, Manager NSW Veterans Employment Program:
“Finding a job is a job in itself, and the NSW Veterans Employment Program provides veterans with tools and training on how to best find and land a role in NSW Government.
“Veterans acquire invaluable skills and experience during their time in the Australian Defence Force but often they don’t know how transferable those capabilities are to NSW government.
“During our workshops we teach veterans how to explain their skills and experience against the NSW government capability framework.”
Quotes attributable to Storm Masters, ACM, a veteran of 4 years in the Army and now a Learning and Development Officer, Corrective Services NSW in the NSW Department of Communities and Justice:
“Since discharging from the Australian Defence Force I have been employed with Corrective Services NSW, where I have worked in a variety of roles which include supervision of offenders, staff development, and providing specialist support for offenders and victims.
“The skills in which I have been able to transfer from my time in Defence into my career in the public service include time management, discipline, resilience, clear communication, collaboration, compliance, teamwork and problem-solving. It is great that NSW Government has a Veterans Employment Program that supports transitioning veterans to gain employment.”
Quotes attributable to veteran and City of Sydney Emergency Planning Manager Ross Edwards:
“Experience from the military equips veterans with a vast range of skills - from leadership, planning and teamwork, to problem solving, adaptability and discipline. I’d strongly encourage other government agencies and employers to consider veterans through this lens of transferable skills and the benefits they can bring to their business.”
