Linfox is supporting the transition of Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans from active service to civilian industries.
As an inclusive employer, Linfox is encouraging diversity of thoughts and skills and is proud to be a signatory to the Veteran’s Employment Commitment.
Linfox Logistics ANZ CEO, Mark Mazurek, is promoting the clear benefits veterans bring to the workforce.
“Linfox is proud to support those who have served our country,” he said.
“These men and women share our LIFT values of Loyalty, Integrity, Fairness and Trust, and bring important qualities to our operations such as collaboration, resilience, discipline and teamwork.”
Linfox also aids active ADF reserves with a Defence Leave Policy and supports relocation for partners of active service men or women with relocation where possible.
Nearly 17 per cent of the Linfox Government and Defence workforce are veterans, bringing a wealth of expertise to the business.
All team members also have access to the exclusive Linfox Employee Assistance Program (LEAP).
The announcement follows TAFE Queensland, Macmahon and Ironside Resources joining forces this week to help skilled ADF veterans transition into successful civilian careers in the mining sector.
Specialist veteran recruitment agency, Ironside Resources, will identify veterans with existing Heavy Commercial Vehicle trade qualifications for the initiative.
TAFE Queensland will then work closely with Macmahon, a diversified Australian mining contractor, to upskill the participants in Mobile Plant Technician skills so that they are ready to take on a variety of mining employment opportunities across Queensland and Western Australia.
“Whilst the ADF provides a high level of training and transferable skills for diesel mechanics, there is a gap between their qualifications and what they need to succeed in the mining industry,” said Ironside Resources COO, Rowena Ferrarotto.
“This partnership is aimed to bridge this gap and offer meaningful employment and training.”
Earlier this year, a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) found that the majority of former ADF members had attained higher education qualifications, were employed, earned higher incomes than the Australian population, owned their own homes and were socially connected by living in a family type household.
The report, Understanding the wellbeing characteristics of ex-serving ADF members, used data from the 2016 Census to examine experiences of education and skills, employment, income and finance, housing circumstances and social support among 72,000 veterans who had served at least one day of service on or after 1 January 2001 and were ex-serving as at 31 December 2015.
“Education is an important factor when transitioning from the ADF to civilian life,” said AIHW spokesperson, Caitlin Szigetvari.
“In the general population, higher levels of education are associated with better health and wellbeing outcomes.”
These aren’t the first skilled labour shortages that have been solved through recruitment programs using former ADF personnel.
A successful program in which former Australian Defence Force personnel assisted with worker shortages in the grain industry during COVID lockdowns was subsequently expanded to the cotton industry last year.