Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has welcomed the NSW Government’s recent efforts to assist younger veterans into employment.
Securing Our Veterans’ Future is a joint project between the NSW Government, ClubsNSW and the RSL & Services Clubs Association to assist ex-Australian Defence Force personnel to move more easily back into civilian life.
“Securing Our Veterans’ Future is the first employment project aimed at younger veterans by a government in Australia,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Some of the more than 5,000 men and women who leave the Australian military each year, including those who have served in overseas’ conflicts such as Afghanistan, face difficulties trying to find work,” he said.
“For many of them, the military has been their first and only employer so they find it challenging to find and apply for a job once they leave military service.
“As our troops return from Afghanistan it is important to show that the community is listening to the needs of veterans and helping them connect with the society they have served,” Mr O’Dea said.
With the assistance of ClubsNSW and the RSL & Services Clubs Association, Securing Our Veterans’ Future will help place younger veterans in jobs within the registered clubs’ industry, whether it is in management, catering or hospitality.
Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello said the NSW Government is already talking to other industry groups about expanding the initiative.
“It has the backing of the Australian Defence Force. The NSW Business Chamber said it will promote Securing Our Veterans’ Future to its 10,000 members across the state,” Mr Dominello said.
The initiative is open to those who have recently left the military and aimed at those who served in the ADF from 1999 onwards.
The program is also open to the spouses of ADF members or younger veterans.
