Dedicated Veterans Employment Program launched by City of Newcastle

A dedicated program aimed at supporting veterans to pursue a career in local government has been launched by the City of Newcastle.

The City of Newcastle Veterans Employment Program, developed in collaboration with the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs and United Services Union, provides dedicated advice and guidance to both veterans and employing managers about matching skill sets, supporting veterans throughout the entire recruitment process, as well as providing tailored feedback to ex-service personnel.

Lillian Tiddy Executive Manager, Member Services at LGNSW, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Craig Delaney from the Office for Veterans Affairs and Stephen Hughes, Northern Region Manager, United Services Union.

Resources include a detailed ‘Local Government Rank to Grade Guide’, aimed at helping veterans and hiring managers understand how Australian Defence Force skills and experience align with local government roles, a dedicated guide to preparing job applications and resources to assist throughout each stage of the recruitment process.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was proud to partner with the Office for Veterans Affairs and United Services Union to support veterans to consider pursuing a career in the local government sector.

“City of Newcastle has an enormously diverse workforce, catering to a wide range of skills and backgrounds making local government a great career opportunity for ex-service personnel, no matter their rank or experience”, said the Lord Mayor.

Office for Veterans Affairs Manager Craig ‘Dallas’ Delaney, a veteran Lieutenant Colonel with 30 years service in the Australian Defence Force, who leads the Veterans Employment Program for the NSW Government, welcomed City of Newcastle’s support for veterans through the implementation of a dedicated resource to assist ex-service men and women find employment in local government.

“The Veterans Employment Program aims to support our ex-service personnel into public sector jobs across New South Wales, and City of Newcastle’s commitment to this program will be warmly welcomed by the men and women of our veteran community,” Mr Delaney said.

“The Office for Veterans Affairs, working closely with City of Newcastle, can provide strong support and assistance throughout the entire recruitment process. From helping to match existing skill sets with the right jobs in the public sector, to providing tailored feedback on their application if a veteran has the courage to request it, we’re working together with the City of Newcastle to ensure our ex-service personnel are adequately supported when taking the next steps in their career.”

United Services Union Northern Region Manager Stephen Hughes, a Veteran who served as an infantry soldier in the 3^rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, and assisted with the development of the Veterans Employment Program, said the union was proud to work with City of Newcastle to support veterans employment initiatives.

“The United Services Union welcomes City of Newcastle’s commitment to supporting our veterans into meaningful employment in the local government sector,” Mr Hughes said.

“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Council on initiatives to ensure a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities they support, including our ex-service men and women who have sacrificed so much for our nation.”

City of Newcastle Infrastructure Director Ken Liddell, a veteran with 20 years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force, said the diverse skills he learned during his career in the Air Force enabled for a successful transfer into the public sector, including senior leadership roles in State and Local Government.

“The skills I learned in the Australian Defence Force have been invaluable for my post-service career in the public sector. Strong and decisive decision making, collaboration and team work as well as leadership and mentoring are all skills encouraged in the services, that readily transfer into local council jobs”, said Mr Liddell.
 
“The ability to continue to serve your community is just one reason why I would strongly encourage any veteran to consider a career in Local Government as a great post-service career choice.”