Veterans Employment Program to aid trucking industry

The Federal Government has announced a program where businesses
will be encouraged to partner with a local ex-service organisations to employ
Australian Defence Force personnel.

Geoff Crouch, Managing Director of Ron Crouch Transport and
Vice Chair of the ATA, has released a statement saying that the Australian
trucking industry will reap benefits from this program which is known as the
Prime Minister’s Veterans Employment Program.

Mr Crouch represented the ATA this week at the Prime
Minister’s announcement of the program.

Mr Crouch said that personnel who previously served in the
ADF can offer a wide range of skills and experiences; particularly those with
skills of logistics in the military, as these skills can be effectively and
easily transferred to the private sector of the Australian transport industry.

"The trucking industry is a natural partner for this program
and the present driver shortage in the trucking industry demonstrates its
potential to not just benefit ADF personnel but the wider economy," Mr Crouch
said.

Based in Wagga Wagga, near the Australian Army Recruit
Training Centre in Kapooka, Mr Crouch has employed numerous former members of
the defence force over the last 30 years at Ron Crouch Transport.

"These people are exceptionally valuable members of the workforce,
and this is a result of the training the army provides to these professionals.
Knowing the skill and the commitment these people have, I wouldn’t hesitate to
employ former members of the army. I encourage businesses in the trucking
industry to take advantage of this unique opportunity, and become a Veteran
Employment Ambassador," said Mr Crouch.

A report published by Volvo earlier this year found that
Australia has a professional truck driver shortage, but there is a strong
support for industry action to find a solution. The report also found that 46
per cent of surveyed trucking operators in Australia are experiencing a
shortage of available drivers, and 52 per cent have an issue attracting the
quantity of drivers needed for their business.

The report further identified that trucking is a “critical
enabler of economic growth”. Fixing the driver shortage is critical for the
economy as 75 per cent of non-bulk domestic freight is carried on roads and
freight demands are predicted to double from 2010 to 2030.

"The Veterans Employment Program will be part of a solution
to our industry’s current driver shortage,” Mr Crouch said.

The Government announcement includes:
>> An Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) on Veterans’
Employment of leading Australian business people that will consider how to
mentor ADF personnel and translate ADF skills for the private sector. All
participating businesses will be given the title ‘Veteran Employment
Ambassador.’ Companies can register by emailing veteransemployment@dva.gov.au

>> The work done by small, medium and large
businesses employing veterans will be recognised at an annual Prime Minister’s
Veterans Employment Annual Awards. The criteria for the awards will be
developed in consultation with the IAC.

>> Businesses will be encouraged to partner with a
local Ex-service Organisation, such as the RSL and Soldier On, to develop
strategies for driving veterans’ employment through an Ex-Service Organisation
Industry Partnership Register. Ex-service organisations and companies can
register their interest by emailing ESOindustryregister@dva.gov.au

>> The Government will help ADF personnel by improving
the transition from the defence force into their post-service careers. All
personnel will have appropriate documentation (such as health and training
records) and participate in the formal transition process before separating
from the ADF. Coaching services will also be available to assist ADF personnel
to seek and obtain employment.

>> The Australian Public Service Commission will
participate and develop a toolkit and online resources for veterans seeking
employment in the public service.