A veteran employment program is a structured program which offers targeted support to veterans as they progress in their civilian employment. These programs aim to upskill and empower veteran talent.
A veteran employment program can support the implementation of your Veteran Employment Strategy.
Veteran employment programs can include a range of elements such as mentorship, job-specific training and professional development, work experience and community support and wellbeing. Your program can integrate your veteran employment initiatives into a cohesive structure.
Veteran employment programs benefit both veterans and employers. They equip veterans with relevant skills and industry knowledge. Meanwhile, employers gain access to a pipeline of highly trained, adaptable and motivated candidates.
Veteran employment programs may aim to:
- establish pathways for veterans to progress their employment in your organisation
- upskill veterans for employment in a particular sector or industry
- provide veterans with experience in a civilian workplace.
For a step-by-step guide on how to develop a veteran employment program, refer to the resource linked below.
How to develop a veteran employment program (PDF 122.75 KB)
In addition, you may wish to consider providing interested veterans the opportunity to gain exposure to civilian employment within your organisation, prior to offering them employment. This could take many forms, such as a:
Shadow day
This gives veterans the opportunity to shadow an employee in your organisation whose role aligns with their current or desired skillset. This could also remain a feature of your employment program, as you may offer shadow days in a range of departments or teams that cater to diverse veteran talent and interests.
Work trial
This provides a short-term opportunity for a veteran to build a deeper understanding of your organisation and industry while gaining hands-on experience in a specific role. They may range from a few hours to a few days. These trials are designed to be mutually beneficial. They allow veterans to demonstrate their capabilities and gain insight into the workplace environment and expectations. Your organisation also has the opportunity to assess the veteran’s fit for the role before committing to a formal hiring process.
Work placement or internship
This allows for a more structured and formalised extension of a work trial. Unlike a brief trial, placements offer veterans a longer-term opportunity to immerse themselves in your workplace, allowing them to develop industry-relevant skills and build professional networks. Ranging from several weeks to a few months, placements can be tailored to provide in-depth exposure to different areas of your business. They are designed to help veterans move into civilian careers by offering meaningful work experience that can enhance their employability and career development.
Related Veteran Employment Commitment (VEC) activities:
- Establish a veteran transition program or pathway
- Offer work placements to transitioning veterans (aspirational).