The federal government has introduced a National Veterans Employment Strategy to enhance employment opportunities for Veterans, leveraging their unique skills and experiences acquired during their military service.
The strategy, named “Service after Service,” aims to facilitate a smooth transition for Canadian Armed Forces members into civilian careers.
According to Veterans Affairs Canada, an average of 8,200 service members are released each year, with about half seeking new employment. The strategy outlines several key areas for support, including improving services, expanding programs, creating and recognizing Veteran-ready employers, and positioning the public service as a leader in Veteran employment.
“Each year, serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces become Veterans,” said Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.
“They have the skills, dedication and leadership needed across the workforce. To support them as they take on a new form of service, our government is introducing a National Veterans Employment Strategy. This strategy aims to reduce employment barriers for Veterans, which will contribute to a successful transition to life after service and to their overall well-being.”
Collaboration with schools, employers
The strategy also focuses on building partnerships with government departments, non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions, employers, and businesses. These collaborations are intended to create a community centred on Veteran employment, helping organizations better understand and meet the needs of Veterans.
At a roundtable organized by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Petitpas Taylor spoke with some of Canada’s leading employers of Veterans, highlighting the importance of these partnerships. The government plans to update the strategy continuously, it said, using evidence-based approaches and ongoing consultations to address new challenges and adapt to the evolving needs of Veterans.
“Transition starts at recruitment. Every CAF member’s transition journey looks different, and they deserve to have their journey needs reflected in this strategy,” said Minister of National Defence Bill Blair. “We look forward to working with our colleagues to improve services and implement strategy initiatives to better serve releasing CAF members and Veterans.”
The strategy encourages collaboration among all levels of government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations to increase employment opportunities for Veterans. It was developed with input from stakeholders, employers, Veterans, and Canadian Armed Forces members.
Employment contributes to Veterans’ well-being
Veterans Affairs Canada said it’s dedicated to building relationships with hiring managers in both the public and private sectors to raise awareness of Veterans’ valuable skills and qualifications, promoting and supporting their employment opportunities. The department highlights that employment contributes significantly to Veterans’ overall well-being by providing purpose, financial stability, and social integration.
Recent data shows that over 1,700 companies have expressed interest in hiring Veterans, with some establishing dedicated Veteran recruitment initiatives and employee resource groups.
The Hire a Veteran LinkedIn group has more than 5,600 members and regularly posts job opportunities from employers who recognize the skills Veterans bring to the labour market.
According to the 2021 Census of Population, nearly one-third of Veterans are in the core working age group of 25 to 54. With approximately 678,500 job vacancies in Canada, the skills and experiences of Veterans are seen as crucial to filling these roles and strengthening the Canadian workforce.