a highly skilled , sometimes ‘ hidden ’ potential workforce that , provided with the appropriate support , can be a valuable resource to employers . As the next wave of veterans ’ and their families look to establish themselves in their postservice life , will your region be ready to harness their potential ?
BIBLIOGRAPHY ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing
ADF Separations Data provided to Veterans SA by the Department of Defence .
Consultation Veterans SA has undertaken with the veteran community .
Amanda McCue ( 2017 ), Military ( ADF ) Spouse Employment & Career Development report , The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust of Australia .
Valerie E Davis , Sarah E Minnis ( 2017 ), Military Veterans ’ Transferable Skills : An HRD Practitioner Dilemma , Advances in Developing Human Resources
More broadly , regional stakeholders can expand and deepen their connection with their local veteran community to better understand and respond to veteran needs and show their commitment to improving outcomes . For example , RDAs and local councils could assess their understanding of , and engagement with the local veteran community by reflecting on the following questions :
• Do you currently engage with your veteran community ( if so , how ?)
• Are you aware of the issues facing the veteran community in your region ? What are they ?
• Are you aware of any strategies / initiatives responding to the specific needs of the local veteran community ?
• Are there any strategies for engagement or consultation with the veteran community ( and if so , what are these )?
Finally , it ’ s important to understand that a whole of family approach needs to be taken to attracting the veteran community to regions . The needs of spouses are very important in decisions around where a family will relocate post-service . Therefore , the regional ‘ offering ’ for veterans must also accommodate and meet the needs of spouses . Fundamental to this is employment and career pathways for spouses , who present another untapped source of skills and talent . As described by Amanda McCue
in her Churchill Fellowship report , “ in a cohort of at least 40,000 defence spouses , the rate of under-utilised talent in a modern workforce facing skills and labour shortages is significant and holding us back as a nation ”.
Veteran spouses / partners face a number of employment challenges related to a veterans ’ military service , including :
• frequent employment disruptions due to postings / relocations
• higher rates of unemployment and underemployment
• underutilisation of training , skills and qualifications .
Regions that can offer practical solutions to these barriers post-transition are more desirable when military families and considering where to live and work postservice .
SUMMARY Data provided for the first time by the ABS 2021 Census now allows policymakers to gain a better understanding of their local veteran population by age , area of residence , employment outcome , educational attainment , and many other variables . This data supports better targeting and tailoring of programs .
As regions compete for talent in a time of significant skill and workforce shortages , veterans and their spouses represent
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
AMANDA TARRANT After more than 17 years of clinical social work practice , Amanda is now working and researching in militaryconnected communities . Amanda brings both professional knowledge and lived experience of military service to her work and research , as the partner of an Australian Defence Force member and recently appointed Royal Australian Navy Reserve officer . In her role as a project officer with Veterans SA , Amanda strongly advocates on matters relating to veterans , families and children and is currently pursuing higher degree research through Open Door ( an Australasian multidisciplinary research hub based at Flinders University ) in the area of Domestic and Family Violence within military families ..
ERIC PARNIS Eric has extensive analytical , research , communication and consultation skills together with many years of policy and writing experience . These skills have been developed through his professional career as Veterans and Families Policy Officer at Veterans SA , and previous research , policy and analyst roles across the public , industry and university sectors . Eric has a strong focus on contributing to policies and programs which improve economic development and social inclusion in South Australia . He is also an accomplished developer and presenter .
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