City adopts Veterans and Ex-Defence Employment Initiative

The City of Joondalup is working with the Veterans Issues Office of Defence West, Working Spirit, Returned and Services League of Australia (RSLWA) and other key stakeholders on a program that could help ex-servicemen and servicewomen find gainful employment with one of Perth’s biggest local governments.

In a first-of-its-kind program in the sector, Joondalup Council recently endorsed a Veterans and Ex-Defence Employment Initiative, which includes the establishment of a formal pathway into the City’s recruitment process for service personnel with transferable skill sets.

The program will be rolled out in two phases as part of the City’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021/22 – 2023/24.

Phase one has already commenced with the City notifying RSLWA and Working Spirit – a Joondalup-based non-profit organisation that has placed over 100 veterans into employment over the last 12 months – about existing City of Joondalup job vacancies.

The second phase will focus on identifying ongoing roles to be promoted via the initiative, explore funding opportunities and review recruitment processes.

The program is based on a successful NSW State Government model, which placed more than 640 veterans in government jobs within an 18-month timeframe.

Joondalup Deputy Mayor John Logan, who brought the report to Council as a Notice of Motion, said there are about 65,000 veterans in Western Australia with approximately 420 service personnel transitioning to civilian life in WA each year.

“Ex-servicemen and servicewomen are trained critical thinkers and decision makers who work well in teams and make outstanding leaders, they have experience in culturally diverse communities, and they make for resilient and dependable employees,” Deputy Mayor Logan said.

“As men and women who have a keen desire to serve others, they increasingly are being seen as great fits in local government – the government closest to the people.

“There are no losers here. As well as raising awareness of roles at the City of Joondalup, and supporting ex-servicemen and servicewomen, this program will benefit the community and local government sector.”

Deputy Mayor Logan said the City of Joondalup’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan outlined the City’s commitment to create a diverse and inclusive culture that promotes a fair, equitable, respectful and supportive workplace.

“Joondalup aspires to be a leader in inclusivity and supports training and employment programs for our community,” he said.

“It is now time to identify how the wide range of skills of our ex-servicemen and servicewomen can be better used in the public sector.”