Organisations across Australia are recognising the benefits of hiring veterans, and the Veteran Employment Commitment (VEC) provides a clear and practical way to get started.
The VEC is designed to support organisations at all stages of veteran employment - whether they are beginning to explore how to engage with veteran talent or have implemented veteran-inclusive workplace policies and practices.
Joining the VEC allows organisations to be recognised for their commitment to veteran employment. Depending on the veteran employment activities currently in place, an organisation may be recognised at one of three levels:
- Veteran Employment Supporter
- Veteran Friendly Employer
- Veteran Employer of Choice
Organisations complete the online application form and select as little as one veteran employment activity to start. From there, they can build their commitment over time, moving through the VEC levels at a pace that suits their business needs.
Many organisations already have practices in place that align with the VEC. For example, to be eligible for Veteran Employment Supporter recognition an organisation can simply include ‘Veterans are encouraged to apply’ on job advertisements or publicly state their support for veteran employment on their website.
One organisation that has recently taken this step to join the VEC is Notitia, an Australian-owned and operated consultancy firm specialising in analytics, design, and web development. Notitia has been recognised as a Veteran Employment Supporter, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a workplace that welcomes and supports veterans.
'For our business, joining the VEC was an easy first step. We will continue to strengthen our diversity and inclusion hiring practices, which includes how we promote roles and support people in their career development. As part of this, we will move towards becoming a Veteran Employer of Choice.' says Alex Avery, Notitia’s Managing Director.
Notitia’s approach to veteran employment is reflected in the experiences of team members like Brett Earle, an Army veteran who moved into the web development industry after serving in the 1st Combat Engineers Regiment. Brett’s story highlights how veterans bring strong transferable skills such a problem-solving, adaptability and a strong work ethic to their civilian careers - skills that organisations like Notitia recognise and value. Mr Avery said he recognised the potential in Brett straight away and is keen to employ more veterans.
'If you’re an employer looking to attract people who can step into a role and make an impact, the VEC is a great place to start - it provides structure, practical support and the flexibility to engage at your own pace.
We’re proud to support veteran employment and would encourage other businesses to do the same - if I could find a pool of Bretts, I’d hire them all in a heartbeat.'
For organisations looking to take the first step or build on existing efforts, the VEC provides a practical way to get involved, with support and guidance available at every stage. The Veteran Employment Program (VEP) offers a suite of resources that help organisations build on their existing efforts and develop new approaches. These resources include guidance on recruitment, such as writing veteran-inclusive job advertisements, as well as tools to support onboarding, career development and workplace inclusion.
Explore the resources available to help recruit, retain, and support veterans in the workplace by visiting veteransemployment.gov.au, and join the VEC today.