HARNESSING THE SKILLS OF THE VETERAN COMMUNITY TO TACKLE SKILL SHORTAGES IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA
Amanda Tarrant and Eric Parnis
INTRODUCTION Picture this : Each year , between 6,000 and 7,000 people across Australia leave a single nationwide employer . These employees are generally young ( on average in their mid to late 20s ), highly trained , skilled and qualified , and have previous experience in one or more of over 280 different roles .
In the meantime , widespread workforce and skill shortages continue to adversely impact regions and industries across the nation , making it increasingly important for economic development policymakers to engage with ‘ harder to reach ’ cohorts to attract and retain skilled workers in their regions .
This single employer is the Australian Defence Force ( ADF ) and those leaving are transitioning from military employment into civilian life . Many are doing so alongside their partners and other family members .
Employment options and outcomes form a major part of the post-military life experience for transitioning ADF members and their families . Recognising the value of this cohort , a number of employers and government policymakers at federal , state and local levels across Australia are developing innovative ways of harnessing the skills of former-serving ADF members post-service .
This article outlines some of these strategies and how they can be applied to developing a strengths-based approach to better connect the working age veteran community to regional job opportunities .
DEFINITIONS AND DEMOGRAPHY OF THE VETERAN POPULATION A “ veteran ” is defined as anyone who has served more than one day of continuous full-time service in the Australian Defence Force ( current or former serving , including reservists ). The word veteran is widely used because it is embedded in legislation overseen by the Australian Government Department of Veterans ’ Affairs ( DVA ). However , public perception of the word ‘ veteran ’ is not necessarily reflective of a working age person who is currently or has recently served in the ADF .
Public perception more commonly identifies a “ veteran ” with the image of an elderly person ( possibly a Vietnam Veteran ) at an RSL or marching on Anzac Day . Similarly , consultation undertaken
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL VOL 17 NO 1 2024 09