Advocating the value of veteran employment
Saab Australia hosted its inaugural Veterans’ Employment Open Day early this month which was such a success that there are plans to hold another later this year. Organised by Saab Australia’s Veteran Advocate, Marc Bryant, the open day was delivered as an informative workshop for veterans seeking employment in industry and the public sector.
“With approximately 5,200 veterans leaving the ADF (Australian Defence Force) each year and a high volume of work expected in South Australia in the next few years, industry has a lot to gain by recruiting from the veteran talent pool,” said Marc Bryant.
Forty-six people attended the open day which included a mix of veterans, support organisation representatives and potential employers.
“Overall, this was an interactive event with passionate discussions about the transition challenges veterans face, information on how to access support groups, and plenty of opportunities to network through the day," said Marc Bryant.
The Australian Government, through the Prime Minister's Veterans' Employment Program, has developed six discreet initiatives to promote the value and unique experience veterans offer private and public sector employers.
Late last year Marc Bryant stepped up to take on an advocacy role for Saab Australia's veteran employment and joined the Australian Government’s Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment.
Marc Bryant explains veterans bring a broad range of technical and soft skills, including leadership, team building, decision making, innovation and communication skills.
“Saab Australia recognises the value veterans bring and we’ve integrated that unique expertise into the company culture and its processes,” said Marc Bryant. “Four of our managing directors have been veterans, including our present MD Andy Keough and three of our senior management team. We benefit from veterans at all levels, from the shop floor to the MD,” he said.
At present, Saab Australia employs seventy-six veterans which is twenty per cent of the total workforce and according to Marc Bryant, “as we continue to grow, we anticipate a number of future recruits will also be veterans.”
Given the interest shown in our first veteran open day, a similar event is being planned for September 2018 which will have broader industry involvement and align with the ADF's transition seminars.