Veterans and their partners in NSW receive employment boost

There are now more options than ever for veterans in New South Wales looking to upskill or gain assistance to find employment in the public and private sectors.

Every year around 1,200 service members leave the Australian Defence Force and join an estimated 200,000 veterans living across NSW. Of those, almost 56,000 veterans and 30,000 of their family members are current clients of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs[1].

Veterans are often accompanied on the pathway to participation by partners, spouses and families, which is why these employment programs provide options not just to veterans but also their partners. We’ve curated a range of programs that can assist you and your fellow veterans with gaining new skills and qualifications, or recognition for the skills you gained in service, and securing meaningful employment.

Veterans Skills Program

In a newly announced initiative by the NSW Government, veterans and their partners will have access to fee-free training to broaden their career opportunities and help transition to civilian life after service.

The Veterans Skills Program enables eligible learners to study any course offered under the Government’s Smart and Skilled program from a Certificate II to Advanced Diplomas, including all apprenticeships and selected traineeships. Veterans and their partners can choose between 750 fee-free courses and will be offered through more than 450 Registered Training Organisations including TAFE NSW.

To read the NSW Premier’s announcement click here or to find out more visit the Veterans Skills Program website.

NSW Veterans Employment Program

The Veterans Employment Program provides help and support for veterans who are interested in pursuing a career in the NSW public sector. It was developed from research led by the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs which now oversees the program. 1,094 veterans have found new roles in the NSW public sector since October 2018.

To find out more visit the Veterans Employment Program website.

RSL Employment Program

RSL NSW in collaboration with RSL LifeCare has launched a holistic veteran employment program. The RSL Employment Program is a national initiative funded by the Australian Government and supports veterans and their partners to find meaningful employment. The RSL LifeCare team delivers the following free services to veterans:

• Career counselling and help to translate skills to the civilian job market
• Help to interpret selection criteria for job applications
• Writing CVs, application letters, and building social media profiles
• Interview coaching
• Connection to employers

Veterans and their families can access the RSL Employment program by calling RSL LifeCare on 8088 0388 or visiting the RSL Employment Program website.

[1] NSW Veterans Strategy 2021-2024: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/assets/veterans-affairs/NSW-Veterans-Strategy-2021-24.pdf