Champions of veteran employment have been recognised as part of the 2024 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards in Canberra this week.
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The 2024 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards is part of the Australian government’s $24 million Veteran Employment Program.
The event is an important opportunity to acknowledge the incredibly valuable contribution veterans make in civilian life and the employers who support them. By shining a light on their successes, the awards encourage civilian organisations to embrace the wealth of experience and capability that veterans bring to their teams.
The valuable skills and experience veterans gain in the Australia Defence Force are transferrable to any number of civilian roles and organisations.
“It’s an honour to recognise the incredible efforts of these individuals and organisations in the veteran employment space,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“These awards serve as a powerful reminder of the remarkable contributions veterans make to the community each and every day. Congratulations to all the winners.”
In the individual categories, Callan Gardner was recognised as Veteran Employee of the Year, Nadia Teong (Veterans Psychology) as Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year, Eden Santos as Partner Employee of the Year and Dr Annabel McGuire (Gripfast Consulting) as Partner Entrepreneur of the Year.
For businesses, Serco Australia was recognised as Large Employer of the Year, Veteran Mentors as Medium Employer of the Year, The Oasis Townsville as Small Employer of the Year, AeroPM for Excellence in Supporting Veteran and/or Partner Employment (national) and The Oasis Townsville for Excellence in Supporting Veteran and/or Partner Employment (regional).
The awards also recognised Geoff Evans for Outstanding Contribution to Veteran and/or Partner Employment and Veteran Mentors as Outstanding Employer of the Year.
The awards come at a time when the government is working to respond to the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, a culmination of the most significant and comprehensive inquiry conducted into suicide and suicidality in the Defence and veteran community.
“These awards demonstrate just how much the veteran community has to offer after their Australian Defence Force service,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said.
“The royal commission made it clear that there is more to do to improve transition for veterans, we’re taking that seriously and the Veteran Employment Program plays a significant part in that.”