The Australian Defence Force (ADF) invests heavily in its servicemen and women and they have a broad range of skills and experience. Their proven leadership and problem-solving skills are in strong demand and often transfer readily to civilian employment.

The Government recognises the importance of raising awareness with employers, in both the private and the public sectors, of the value and unique experience of our veterans. The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program supports initiatives to increase awareness of the advantages of employing veterans. Two effective initiatives under the program are the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards and the Veterans Employment Commitment.

The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards celebrate the achievements of veterans, the businesses that recognise and benefit from their skills and experience, and those who support spouse employment.

Ben Whitham is the 2019 Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year. Ben is an ex-service member who co-founded Penten—an Australian-owned cyber security company based in Canberra. Ben actively supports veterans through their transition to civilian employment, and about one-third of the company’s 55 staff are veterans. Ben’s commitment to his military career and civilian roles after transition show his passion for making a difference to veterans and Australia’s security capabilities.

‘It’s important to highlight to employers the value that veterans can bring to the workplace’, Ben says.

Ben and other award winners have been involved in many different types of work since they left the ADF, but they all embody the values and competencies that are high on recruitment wish lists: teamwork, loyalty, respect, diligence and professionalism.

The Veterans Employment Commitment, launched in 2018, helps businesses to make a public commitment to support the employment of veterans. The commitment helps businesses to benefit from the skills and experience of Australia’s veterans and makes it easier for veterans to identify businesses that are interested in their unique skills and experience. The commitment is open to all Australian businesses that would like to take advantage of the skillsets that our ex-service men and women offer. More than 100 organisations have signed up in support of veterans’ employment.

Further information about the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program is on the program’s website (www.veteransemployment.gov.au).