Let’s Remember to Hire Canadian Veterans
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November is a time when Canadians will gather to honour the contributions of the men and women who’ve served in the Canadian Armed Forces. They’re hard work and sacrifices reflect their dedication to keeping the citizens of this country safe. But let’s also remember that veterans continue to contribute their invaluable skills when they are hired for jobs after their time in the military.
During their years of service, Canadian veterans have gained the ideal attributes employers are looking for in new employees. These military men and women are known around the world for their leadership skills, teamwork and dedication. They are highly-skilled in planning, communication, management and the trades needed for today’s economy. In many ways, today’s veterans define what a modern employee should look like.
There are 599,200 veterans, or two to three per cent of the 19 million people in the total labour force and their average age is 56.
According to a recent landmark Statistics Canada/Veterans Affairs "Life After Service" study, veterans participate in the labour force at a much higher rate than the population at large.
When asked about their future outlook, a very strong 84 to 94 per cent of veterans said they are "satisfied with life." This is important to today’s employers who indicate, in study after study, that a positive attitude is one of the most valued employee characteristics.
Recent job surveys of Express Employment Professional franchisees in Canada tell us that the mix of hard and soft skills companies desire are the very same skills that veterans obtain during their service.
While employers are looking at work experience, technical ability and training when hiring potential employees, their priority is clear - there's no substitute for experience. Training and education are important, but employers want to see that a potential hire has proven him or herself. There’s no doubt that the rigorous and tested military environment is the ideal proving ground. Imagine the experience gathered by those who worked as infantry soldiers or aviation systems technicians, who were expected to perform in unique, and at times, extraordinary circumstances.
The Express survey also indicates that employers are looking for dependable employees who can communicate well and who are motivated for the job and task at hand. Those soft skills are the very essence of training in a modern soldier, sailor, airman or airwoman.
Quite simply, Canada’s veterans have the unique training and experience which match the business models and programming needed by so many companies.
This November, let’s remember these veterans as the well-trained and accomplished individuals they are; with the skills and experience to be a real asset to any organisation.
The sacrifice of the Armed Forces has come into sharp focus these last weeks in Canada. They serve the nation with honour and stand on guard to protect its citizens. In doing so, they also prepare themselves to be great potential employees.
The facts are clear. Hiring a veteran might be one of your smartest future business moves.
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Robert A. “Bob†Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals, the largest franchised staffing company in the United States and second largest privately held staffing company in North America with more than 700 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide.