By Ruth Crosbie, Learning Engagement and Experiences I APS Academy
Each year approximately 6,000 Australians leave the Australian Defence Force (ADF) skilled, experienced, and ready for a mid-career transition. In 2022 the Department of Veterans’ Affairs developed a talent pipeline ‘VetPaths’, to assist veterans with entry into the Australian Public Service.
Following the successful pilot in 2022, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) are pleased to partner again in 2024, with the second intake of VetPaths welcomed on 30 July.
A competitive recruitment process attracted over 100 applications for the program, resulting in 25 positions being awarded nationwide across three participating agencies, DVA, Defence and Services Australia.
Figure 1 - VetPaths 2024 cohort commencing their training at the APS Academy
“I found the experience very rewarding. It was great to engage with other veterans going through the same transition journey and experiencing similar challenges during our search for meaningful employment post military."
Priscilla – Services Australia
The cohort were welcomed to the program by Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alison Frame, Secretary, Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Faye Liu, Assistant Commissioner, APS Academy.
The APS Academy is a proud supporter of the VetPaths program. The APS Academy partner with DVA to facilitate the formal learning components of the VetPaths program, with participants attending six of the Academy’s Craft learning and development offerings throughout their VetPaths journey. Academy training supports participants in gaining a foundation understanding of the fundamentals of the Australian Public Service and the opportunity to build skills in areas like Policy and Communication.
VetPaths is a great story of collaboration across the Service – it is a tremendous program equipping veterans with the confidence and knowledge to support a transition into a new career in the APS. The APS Academy is honoured to be providing the entry pathway for this initiative again this year, to support the development of foundational core skills.
See the DVA website for more information on VetPaths.