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Soldier On has welcomed Babcock Australasia as the latest member of its veteran employment support program.
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Engineering services provider Babcock Australasia is the latest organisation to sign the 2020 Soldier On Pledge, joining 50 other companies.
The Pledge, which forms part of Soldier On’s Pathways Program, encourages partner companies to learn more about the veteran community, recognise the skills acquired in the Australian Defence Force, and make a tangible commitment to providing ongoing veteran employment opportunities.
In signing the new Soldier On Pledge, Babcock has committed to providing veteran-friendly recruitment, retention, training and workplace culture.
Ivan Slavich, CEO of Soldier On, welcomed Babcock to the program, claiming that the group already has a strong veteran-supportive workplace culture in place.
“They are also taking the initiative to really understand the needs of the veteran community, the impact that serving has on the whole Defence family and what they can do as an organisation to enable veterans and their families to secure their future careers and thrive at work after leaving the Defence Force,” Slavich said.
“Soldier On’s Pathways Program is working in collaboration with companies like Babcock Australasia to enable veterans and their families to thrive.”
He continued: “The more organisations that come on board by signing the Pledge and supporting the veteran community, the greater the impact.
“We are building a stronger Australia together – for every organisation that signs the Soldier On Pledge, we are one step further to enabling more veterans and their families to secure their future.”
Slavich said creating employment opportunities for veterans was particularly pertinent, given the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many Australians are facing employment challenges due to COVID-19 and Soldier On is doing our best to support veterans and their families at this time,” he said.
“We provide holistic support service, which includes health and wellbeing programs, employment support and education programs, as well as participation and social connection activities centered around the needs of the Australian veteran community.
“Forming strong partnerships with Pledge organisations is another way for us to support the veteran community as it will forge pathways that will enable more veterans and their families to secure long-term, meaningful employment.”
Babcock Australasia CEO David Ruff said veterans play a key role in supporting the group’s defence and aviation businesses.
“We recognise the outstanding skills and experience that they have to offer as Babcock continues to grow as a defence, aviation and critical services company from our regional headquarters in South Australia,” he said.
Soldier On’s Pathways Program supports over 3,000 veterans and their families across Australia.
The program is supported by funding from the Australian government and Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Prudence Slaughter, Pathways Program director, added that support provided by companies like Babcock would help to ensure that more veterans and their family members secure meaningful long-term employment.
“With the continued support of companies like Babcock we will achieve Soldier On’s vision of having the best re-integrated generation of veterans,” she said.
“Enabling successful employment transitions for Australian Defence Force personnel has so many positive benefits for the whole Defence family and the wider community.
“When an organisation really understands and supports veterans and their families, the resulting positive impact on their lives is incredible.”
[Related: Maritime Museum incentives extended for ADF veterans, personnel]
