Employment pathway finds new purpose for 747 Queensland veterans

Almost 750 Defence Force veterans have found new careers in the Queensland Public Service as teachers, nurses, rangers, engineers and electricians.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government had benefited from the diverse experience and expertise of veterans, many of them supported by the Veterans’ Employment Pathway program to transition to careers beyond their defence service.

The Employment Pathway will be further expanded this year with a new mentoring program, networking sessions, and an interactive jobs guide on the Queensland Veterans’ Portal. 

“Through conflict and peacekeeping missions, cyclones, fires, floods and even COVID-19, our service men and women have demonstrated their commitment to our safety and security,” the Premier said.

“My Government recognised the tremendous contribution veterans could make in the Queensland Public Service. Extending the program is more acknowledgment of their valuable experience and skills.”

“Almost three years on from the launch of the Veterans’ Employment Pathway, 747 veterans have joined the Queensland Public Service as teachers, nurses, intelligence analysts, engineers, radiographers, electricians, occupational therapists, biomedical technicians and police liaison officers.

“Just last month, we welcomed another 25 veterans to the public service, with the majority employed in frontline roles in Queensland Health and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.”

To date, the Veterans Employment Pathway has helped veterans to identify skills that transfer easily to public sector roles, including teamwork, leadership and critical thinking.

In 2021, the Veterans Employment Pathway will be expanded through the delivery of an enhanced Skill to Sector job guide on the Queensland Veterans’ Portal, which will identify transferable skills from the ADF and connect potential applicants to roles advertised within the Queensland public service.

Facilitating introductions for veterans in the public sector, the Office for Veterans will administer a new Connecting the Sector support program, encouraging networking and mentoring opportunities. 

The Government this year will also deliver on a key election commitment, launching a training package to provide free TAFE and apprenticeships for up to 300 veterans transitioning to civilian employment.

Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Bart Mellish said the package was part of more than $10 million in election commitments, supporting the physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of Queensland veterans.

“I’m honoured to work closely with Queensland veterans, to help them overcome challenges and identify opportunities following their service in the ADF,” Mr Mellish said.

“In 2021, the Queensland Government is delivering on commitments that will unlock potential and create positive change for veterans and their families.

“We’ve committed $500,000 for a new Veterans’ Health and Wellbeing Research Grant Program, which will enable vital research to uncover new health and wellbeing approaches, and $1.8 million will allow a network of outreach services to help provide veterans with support to find stable and secure accommodation.

“We recently allocated a supplementary payment of $1 million for the Anzac Day Trust to provide financial support for veterans affected by COVID-19 and veterans’ organisations to assist with staging COVID-19 safe commemorative events.

“And we are spending $4 million over four years on capital works for ex-service organisations and memorials and events, which will bring Queenslanders together to honour the sacrifice of our veterans and affirm their place in our State’s future.”

For more information and to access the Queensland Veterans’ Portal, please visit   http://www.qld.gov.au/veterans