Visibility , awareness raising , and promotion are key factors in enticing the veteran community to consider moving to a regional location . The Regional Development of Australia ( RDA ) network can play a crucial intermediary role here , given its extensive existing connections to regional stakeholders .
The strength-based , multi-pronged approach described above to capture the skills of former-serving ADF members , means that regional stakeholders wishing to tap into the veteran community have various pathways to do so .
ATTRACTING THE VETERAN COMMUNITY TO THE REGIONS ABS 2021 Census data shows that in South Australia , almost 33 % of people who have ever served in the military , live in a non-metropolitan area of the state . The age demographic is currently skewed towards people of retirement age and
therefore attracting more veterans of a working age to regions would assist these communities in addressing workforce shortages .
Making veterans and their spouses aware of the range of jobs and lifestyle opportunities available in regions can be challenging . It is acknowledged that some military families already have exposure to regions either from their individual backgrounds or from posting to military bases that exist in regional Australia ( e . g ., Wagga Wagga , Katherine etc ). However , for many transitioning members and their families , moving to a regional area postservice is not typically something in their line of sight .
Visibility , awareness raising , and promotion are key factors in enticing the veteran community to consider moving to a regional location . The Regional Development of Australia ( RDA ) network can play a crucial intermediary role here , given its extensive existing connections to regional stakeholders . One example of the way RDAs promote attributes of regional Australia to the veteran community is through the Home Base SA website in South Australia . Home Base SA has been developed by South Australian government agency , Veterans SA , as a valuable resource for ADF members and their families who have been posted to or are considering transitioning to South Australia .
The website contains information promoting regional career opportunities and pathways , including a video by RDA Murraylands and Riverland about the opportunities for veterans in regional South Australia . This is an approach other RDAs around Australia could follow , to promote their region to the veteran community in similar ways .
Another avenue for regional awareness raising and promotion includes ADF Transition Seminars . Transition Seminars provide information to assist ADF members and families to prepare for transition to civilian life . It is mandatory for members to attend a Transition Seminar within 12 months of their separation date . The Seminars are held face-to-face across Australia ( including some regional areas ) and can be attended virtually in some cases . Exhibiting stallholders are given the opportunity to engage with a captive audience of transitioning members and spouses regarding the services they offer . Not-for-profit regional stakeholders such as RDAs and local councils can apply to be stallholders at relevant Transition Seminars to showcase their region and the employment and lifestyle opportunities available .
VOL 17 NO 1 2024 12 www . edaustralia . com . au