Local veteran recognised for helping former serving personnel obtain work
Army Veteran Paul Warren has been presented with a Prime Minister’s Veteran’s Employment Award in Townsville after COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of the Canberra ceremony in May.
Herbert MP Phillip Thompson presented the Veterans’ Employer of the Year – Large award to the Rheinmetall Defence Australia Workforce Development & Veterans Program Manager this morning.
“This is a fantastic achievement for not just Rheinmetall Defence Australia but Paul himself as the manager of the Veteran Engagement Program,” Mr Thompson said.
“We know that meaningful engagement and meaningful employment is critical when a member of our Defence forces discharges and can be a massive preventative measure to helping avoid mental and physical health problems down the track.
“The Prime Minister is extremely passionate about seeing veterans succeed long-term as they transition to civilian life, and to see Paul and the team’s work recognised at such a high level goes to show what an excellent job they are doing.”
Mr Warren said he was honoured and humbled to have received the award.
“As a veteran myself I know how important it is to find a sustainable career pathway which recognises skills, values and experience as quickly as possible. It’s great to help others do that within Defence industry,” he said.
“Our Veteran Engagement Program is focussed on offering flexible options to people transitioning from Defence who may have suffered injuries as a result of their service.
“We try and place people in roles which they are interested in and will help them build career pathways that will last well into the future.
“It’s an honour to have received this award and we look forward to continuing to do what we can in getting veterans into jobs.”
The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards celebrate veterans’ world-class training, leadership and entrepreneurial skills, and recognise organisations and individuals across Australia who promote and prioritise the employment of military veterans.
There were a record 129 nominations for the 2020 Awards, the highest in the Awards’ three-year history. The high standard of nominations demonstrates organisations are recognising the value of hiring veterans.
The Awards are part of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program, which brings together a range of resources for veteran job-seekers and employers. The program includes the Government’s Veterans Employment Commitment, a public declaration that each signatory supports greater employment opportunities for veterans. To date, more than 250 organisations have signed up to the Commitment.
Further information about the Awards and the 2020 winners can be found on the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program website.
ENDS