The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) has launched a Veteran Employment Pathway (VetPaths) which recently hosted 13 veterans to join it in its first five-day induction for joining the Australian Public Service (APS).
A collaboration between DVA, the Department of Defence (ADF) and the Australian Public Service Commission, the purpose of the Pathway is to aid transitioning and transitioned veterans to establish a career in the APS.
Congratulating the successful recruits, the APS Academy said the Pathway was designed to aid the veterans in establishing an ongoing and meaningful APS career.
“This is the first veteran-exclusive pathway to lead to an ongoing role in the Federal Public Sector,” the Academy said.
It said VetPaths would offer veterans a variety of supports throughout their first year of employment including formal learning and development; a mentor; an internal buddy; access to peer networks; and family inclusion events.
The Academy said that through the program, a variety of positions were on offer within DVA and Defence, where military experience was recognised as being beneficial to success in the roles.
“Participants took part in a five-day induction where they heard from key personnel from DVA, Defence and the APS Academy who welcomed them to the APS, provided a comprehensive overview of how the APS works, and provided useful insights on how to succeed in their careers post-Australian Defence Force (ADF) service,” it said.”
“The group also began their formal learning with two APS Academy courses: Ethics and Values, and Understanding Government.”
It said these included background on the machinery of Government, provided by representatives from the Museum of Australian Democracy.
The Academy said the recruits also heard from veterans currently working in the APS about their transitioning from the ADF to the APS, and got some hints and tips on how to flourish using their military experience in an APS context.
“The majority of participants said their main reason for seeking APS employment was wanting to continue to serve the Australian community in a meaningful way,” it said.
“This is why the program motto, Continuing to serve, is so important, because it resonates with the mission and purpose of both the APS and the ADF,” the Academy said.
Further information on VetPaths can be accessed at this PS News link.
