Rewarded (L-r): ACTPS veteran Cameron Naughton, Skills Canberra’s Josephine Anderson and Minister for Seniors and Veterans, Gordon Ramsay.
The ACT Public Service has been honoured for its support of employment for military veterans, winning a prize in the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards.
The ACTPS came first in the category ‘Public Sector Excellence in Supporting Veterans’, recognising the Service’s proactive approach to veterans transitioning to civilian life from the Defence forces.
The award was welcomed by the Minister for Seniors and Veterans, Gordon Ramsay who said the Service’s Veterans’ Employment Strategy was instrumental in the recruitment, retention and support of veterans and their families.
“Our achievement in supporting Veterans and their families would not be possible without the ongoing support and advice from all of our stakeholders,” Mr Ramsay said.
“We have created a better understanding of Veterans’ needs in the workplace and developed tools and resources to support them during their transition away from the Defence force.”
He said some of the work undertaken includes building a Veterans’ employment website, developing an employment register and initiating a mentor program.
“Veterans are highly trained, with skills and capabilities that are an asset to the ACTPS,” the Minister said.
He said a mentor program was a key initiative for building on employees’ professional skills and connecting them with professional networks and individuals across the ACTPS.
He said the program had 30 participants.
One of the 30, Cameron Naughton joined the ACTPS in 2015 and expressed his appreciation for the program.
“I am grateful for the support provided to me by the ACTPS, making such a significant career shift was difficult,” Mr Naughton said.
“However, the ACT Government workplace policy, management and assistance available through the mentor program has helped me a lot during my transition.”
Mr Ramsay said that when the program commenced in 2017, only 35 ACTPS members identified as veterans. He said the number today is 189.
