This year has seen the largest number of nominations received for the annual Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the finalists, spread across eight categories, demonstrated how veterans are excelling in the civilian workforce, and how businesses are supporting them and their families.
“The Veterans’ Employment Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of veterans in the civilian workforce, as well as how organisations and individuals create employment opportunities for veterans and support their transition,” the Prime Minister said.
“I commend all those who submitted a nomination this year and congratulate all the finalists.”
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said it was great to see so many individuals and organisations translating their passion for supporting veterans and their families into real action.
“Service in the ADF is overwhelmingly positive — it’s good for the individual, good for the community and is in the national interest, and it sets up our personnel with skills and experience that are highly valued in the civilian workforce,” Minister Chester said.
“These finalists represent a variety of organisations in a range of industries that have seen the incredible value in hiring veterans as part of their business and they should be congratulated on their support of veterans and their families.”
The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards are part of a broad program of activity aimed at raising awareness with employers, both in the private and public sector, of the enormous value and unique skills our veterans can bring to their organisation.
There were a record 129 nominations for the 2020 Awards, the highest in the Awards’ three year history. Finalists for 2020 Awards are selected from across the country; from large, medium and small businesses in a range of industries and professions.
Each category is assessed by a three-member judging panel. Judges are independent and impartial and include senior representatives from Australian business, former Australian Defence Force Members and senior representatives from the Australian Public Service.
One nominee is EPE, which has a veteran employment rate of 65 per cent.
The Awards ceremony will be held in March 2020 in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra.