Australian Catholic University champions veteran employment and education
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) is preparing veterans for jobs and working with the Veteran Employment Program (VEP) to educate employers on how they can recruit and retain veterans.
The ACU is supporting veterans in their further studies to succeed in the civilian workplace. It has opened a Veteran and Family Lounge at its Brisbane campus, providing stronger community networks for veterans and their families to foster belonging, purpose and build new skills following their service.
‘Higher education is not just about academic achievement – it’s about providing an environment where those who have served, and their loved ones, can thrive during and after the transition from military to civilian life,’ says ACU Student Veteran Services Manager Aaron Cornwall. ‘Access to higher education, coupled with strong community networks, plays a vital role in building new skills, fostering purpose and creating a sense of belonging.’
Aaron was the Veteran Employee of the Year at the 2023 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards. Last year, his team launched 2 apps – Five2Study and Service2Campus. The lounge and apps were both assisted by DVA Veteran Wellbeing Grants.
‘If you haven’t studied in a while, university can present a few hurdles,’ Aaron says. ‘What these apps do is remove those jitters. They offer comprehensive support, right from the moment you ponder “Is uni for me?”, to the day you graduate.’
The ACU is also using a DVA Recruitment Advisory Service for Employers of Veterans Grant to equip employers with the tools and knowledge to develop or update their employment policies and practices to support veterans. It has been working closely with employers via small, in-person workshops to help them develop or tweak their own employment strategies to incorporate a veteran focus. The groups have discussed practical ways veteran employment activities can be implemented by their organisations that can ultimately provide return on investment.
As a proud Veteran Employment Supporter via the Veteran Employment Commitment, the ACU recognises the value that veterans bring from their ADF skills and experiences. It is working to implement new and improved activities with the aim of becoming recognised as a Veteran Friendly Employer.
Employers can now access a suite of resources on the VEP website, which provides practical advice and templates on how to implement veteran-friendly practices. From making simple changes to job advertisements to building veteran-specific employment pathways, these resources help employers to recruit and retain veterans in a way that works for them.
If you are an employer and would like to know more, visit www.veteransemployment.gov.au.