Canada is home to over 461,000 veterans, nearly one-third of whom are in the prime working age range of 25-54 years. Despite their immense potential, many veterans face significant obstacles in finding meaningful employment, largely due to a lack of adequate transitional support.
Meanwhile, there are approximately 600,000 job vacancies in Canada. As technological advancements continue at a rapid pace and industries evolve, there is a growing demand for skilled digital workers across the country.
Veterans Affairs Canada recently unveiled a new initiative, Service after Service: The National Veterans Employment Strategy, to help improve employment opportunities for veterans and facilitate their transition to civilian life. Approximately 8,200 Canadian Armed Forces members are released annually, with approximately half of those veterans seeking new career opportunities. Veterans have the skills needed to fill these positions and make an impact on the Canadian workforce, but more help is needed to get them there.
Canada’s Skills Gap
Over the next decade, digital proficiency will be a prerequisite for nine out of ten jobs. Effective upskilling and reskilling programs, such as Soldiers in Tech, can mitigate the skills crisis and equip veterans with in-demand skills like cyber security and data analysis.
However, while technical digital skills are important, tomorrow’s tech workers will require a complementary set of soft skills to thrive in the evolving work landscape. A World Economic Forum report found that soft skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, motivation, and agility will be top in-demand skills by 2027.
Veterans already possess a diverse range of skills, honed through service, that can be transferred to various industries. These skills include teamwork, adaptability, flexibility, problem-solving, leadership, stress management in high-pressure situations, detail and discipline, and loyalty. The ability to diversify skill sets and explore new career paths is crucial for successful reintegration into civilian life, and tapping into this abundant pool of talent will not only help businesses fulfill their talent needs but also increase employment opportunities for veterans.
The Role of Business
Despite their considerable abilities, many veterans encounter significant hurdles as they transition from military to civilian life. These challenges include navigating new job markets, understanding that military skills do indeed translate into civilian employment requirements, a lack of carryover of their military credentials to civilian life, and adjusting to a different social landscape.
Businesses have a unique opportunity to facilitate the seamless integration of veterans into the civilian workforce. A recent State of Canada Hiring Survey found that almost all (90%) managers face challenges finding skilled talent. Amidst the current talent scarcity, there is a need to recruit individuals who will actively engage and bring significant value to an organization, and veterans should be a top choice.
Adopting veteran-friendly hiring practices is a crucial step in this process. This involves recognizing military experience as valuable work experience, understanding how military skills translate into civilian job roles, and offering flexible work arrangements to meet veterans’ unique and individual needs. Additionally, mentorship programs can offer veterans guidance and support as they transition into new career paths, fostering confidence in their roles.
Creating an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and experience is equally crucial. Veterans contribute diverse perspectives that can enhance innovation and problem-solving within teams. By championing an organizational culture that celebrates these differences, businesses can provide a supportive environment where veterans feel appreciated and understood.
Supporting Veteran Employment
There is a critical need for a workforce with both technical and soft skills. Hiring veterans can significantly narrow the digital skills gap across various sectors, where their military background and experience provide a distinct advantage.
As a veteran myself, I’ve observed the profound effect that meaningful employment can have on others. Veterans who proudly served our country are eager to learn and find a renewed sense of purpose, stability, and a dignified journey back into civilian life. While Canada’s new veteran employment strategy is a good start, federal and provincial governments must provide more support for reskilling and upskilling programs that help veterans learn in-demand skills. This coupled with corporate Canada making veteran hiring a priority creates a win-win game—one that is designed in a way where all participants can benefit.
To that end, businesses have an important role to play and should not overlook veterans for career opportunities. By recognizing the skills veterans offer, business leaders can not only honour their service but also meet their talent needs. Canada has an amazing pool of potential tech talent in its veterans. By harnessing their existing skills and fostering the acquisition of new skills, we can drive innovation, productivity and growth for the benefit of our economy and society.
Roland Gossage is a Director at The Roland Gossage Foundation.
