JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
6 March 2019
EMPLOYMENT AWARDS
HIGHLIGHT VETERANS ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS
Nine companies and individuals who have created
employment opportunities and helped demonstrate
the positive contribution veterans make to
Australian workplaces have been honoured through
the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment
Awards.
Around 5,500 members discharge
from the Australian Defence Force each year.
Many of these men and women are of an age where
they still have a long civilian career ahead of
them.
During their time serving in
defence of our nation, they will have led teams,
worked with others to solve complex problems and
demonstrated resilience and adaptability in
high-pressure situations – all qualities that
make them a great attribute to any business.
The Prime Minister’s Veterans’
Employment Awards are part of a broad program of
activity aimed at raising employer awareness of
the enormous value and unique experience of
veterans. Hiring a veteran is good for business.
Winners at last night’s ceremony
represent the many companies, which are
consciously tapping into the skilled veteran
workforce and demonstrate what a tremendous
asset a veteran can be to a business.
The highest honour of
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to
Veterans’ Employment was awarded to Mr Chris
Mayfield OAM. Chris is a third generation
soldier who was discharged from the Army in
January 2014, completing 26 years of
distinguished service.
Chris is a champion for veteran
employment and was influential in establishing
Fortescue Metals Group recruitment and training
program that has seen 54 veterans enter careers
in mining. Chris played a pivotal role in
assisting the business understand the
opportunity of offering roles to veterans,
drawing on his knowledge of defence and of trade
qualifications.
The award for Outstanding
Employer of the Year went to BCT Solutions —
also awarded the Veterans’ Employer of the Year
– Medium — for its outstanding commitment to
hiring veterans, with nearly 90 per cent of its
workforce being former service men and women.
A priority of the Government is
to help veterans effectively transition to
civilian life. Finding our veterans meaningful
employment after they leave the military
benefits individuals, families, businesses, the
economy and our nation.
Supporting our veterans extends
to the whole family, and our Government
congratulates Defence Bank for winning the
Excellence in Supporting Spouse Employment
Award. One quarter of Defence Bank’s Branch
network employees are either a partner, sibling,
child or other family connection to an ADF
member.
The nominations received this
year were truly inspiring and we congratulate
all the winners and finalists.
Our Government’s Veterans
Employment Commitment is designed to help
connect ex-service men and women with employment
opportunities for the excellent skills they
bring to the workplace. That Commitment,
combined with the new Veterans’ Covenant,
Australian Veterans’ Card and lapel pin, are all
designed to bring governments and businesses
together to support the veterans of today and
tomorrow.
The Prime Minister’s Veterans’
Employment Awards’ Principal Sponsors are
Australia Post and Westpac Group.
Resources are available on the
Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program
website to help businesses find the perfect
match.
ENDS