Veteran Employment a Focus in New South Wales

RSL LifeCare, has today announced that it is partnering with specialist career management firm, Right Management to deliver the RSL Employment Program in New South Wales.

The RSL Employment Program is funded by the Australian Government and delivered in New South Wales by RSL LifeCare on behalf of RSL NSW.

Right Management has over 40 years’ experience supporting career change and is the contracted Commonwealth provider of the career transition elements of the Defence Force Transition Program, helping place veterans in employment immediately after leaving full-time service with the ADF.

Part of a national initiative of the RSL, the employment program supports veterans and their partners to find meaningful employment in the civilian workforce post their Defence career.

Employment issues are being examined as a systemic risk factor in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and employment was identified as a key element of veteran wellbeing in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s 2018 paper, ‘Development of a veteran-centred model’. Employment provides fulfilment, identity and income, all of which support mental health and a stable living environment.

“The RSL Employment Program is designed to address the unique challenges faced when former Defence members look to enter the civilian workforce and it looks at the veteran’s overall wellbeing” said Nicki Young, General Manager Veteran Services at RSL LifeCare. “In addition to helping veterans and their partners become job-ready, the program, through RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, provides support including DVA claims assistance, housing support, financial assistance and referral pathways for education.”

Tim Roche, Country Manager for Right Management said, “veterans come out of service with skills and trades that many employers are looking for and they also have some incredible traits that are valuable in the workplace – resilience, time management and leadership to name a few. Part of what we do is help veterans translate what they’ve learned into the language that employers are looking for. They have the skills; it’s just presenting them in the right way.”

Services within the program include:

• Career counselling and help translating skills for the civilian job market
• Help interpreting selection criteria
• Writing CVs and application letters and social media profiles
• Interview coaching
• Connections to employers
• Wellbeing support services

Veterans and their families in New South Wales can access the employment program by visiting https://www.rslaustralia.org/rsl-veterans-employment-program, or by calling 02 8088 0388.