WithYouWithMe launches Brisbane Veteran Employment Drive ahead of Career Expo
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An employment company helping veterans transition from the defence force – WithYouWithMe – last week launched a Brisbane Veteran Employment Drive, calling on Brisbane-based businesses to employee more than 300 fully-trained veterans.
The employment drive comes in the lead-up to WithYouWithMe’s first Brisbane Veteran Career Expo on 23 February, where close to 300 veterans will converge to hear how they can make their transition from the ADF a success.
The expo will see more than 25 employers meet and interview veteran candidates, including event sponsors NAB, Amazon Web Services, Accenture, Splunk, Cubic, Northrop Grumman, and PwC.
There will be more than 100 jobs on offer for veterans on the day.
Since 2012, Brisbane and South-East Queensland has been one of the highest transition locations for veterans as they leave the military. Between 2012 and 2016:
- 4554 veterans located in South-East Queensland transitioned from the Australian Defence Force
- These veterans had an average of 11 years’ experience in the military
- Of these veterans, 87.5 per cent were male and 12.5 per cent were female
- The breakdown by service in South-East Queensland was:
o Army – 69.1 per cent
o Airforce – 17.7 per cent
o Navy – 13.2 per cent
WithYouWithMe offers transition support for veterans when they are leaving the military or are looking to make a career change post transition – and, unique to WithYouWithMe’s program, veterans are provided with free training to upskill into new careers.
The company is calling on local businesses to think about how a highly skilled veteran could fit into their workplace.
Tom Larter, WithYouWithMe General Manager said that Brisbane businesses had a unique opportunity to work with some of Queensland’s best available talent.
“The skills a veteran can bring to your workplace are unique and highly-sought after,” Mr Larter said.
“We’ve had more than 2000 veterans go through our program across the country, with many transitioning into new careers in non-military-aligned industries like cyber security, sales and robotics.
“We currently have more than 300 trained and highly skilled veterans ready to go.
“Next week’s Brisbane Veteran Career Expo will kick off the employment drive, where some of Australia’s largest companies will be tapping into this talent pool.”
Data released from WithYouWithMe last year showed that across the country veterans had an unemployment rate of 30.2%, more than five times the national average.
Veterans are also taking an average pay cut of more than 30% when they leave the defence force.
“With the number of veterans transitioning into South-East Queensland each year, Brisbane has the potential to be the veteran capital of Australia,” Mr Larter said.
“Brisbane businesses should look at jumping on board the veteran employment drive before it’s too late.”
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I’d think twice before seeking assistance from WYWM. They are heavily focussed on the immediate or relatively recent transitioning members from the ADF, esp the young tech natives who have talent only towards relatively niche areas ie cyber security, management and other corporate material roles. As far as other ex service personnel who discharged more than 5 plus yrs ago who have worked and or seeking the less than glamorous run of the mill jobs, better off maybe checking Ironside Recruitment, ERS etc. To be honest if you don’t fit WYWMs little demographic, they really have no interest in you
Brett. No company can be everything to everyone. If they’ve found a niche in the relatively recent transitioning members, I see nothing wrong with that – especially when there are other companies more suitable for people in different situations, as you identified.