Partner employment and national security

Contemporary narratives of ADF families focus on the sacrifices families make, the support they provide ADF members, and the role that plays in defence capability. After decades of peace, followed by wars on foreign shores, the “homefront” has become narrowly defined as the homes of ADF families. However, during times of war and other national … More Partner employment and national security

Veteran and family support systems

I’m following the discussions about veteran claim advocates with interest because it forms part of a much bigger discussion about veteran and family support in general – discussions which should be grounded in the availability, quality and effectiveness of services and the best interests of the veteran community. I work in a self-regulated sector (career … More Veteran and family support systems

ADF partner employment: it’s more about asset and opportunity than problem solving

The knowledge that career development is good for individuals, families, communities, employers and the economy (and in this context, good for defence and national security) becomes the foundation for identifying and creating a suitable ADF partner career development strategy and framework and designing, developing and investing in suitable career development policies and programs. Rather than a problem-focused … More ADF partner employment: it’s more about asset and opportunity than problem solving

Partner career development; it’s about paid and unpaid work and career life roles

I often use the word employment but it’s not really partner employment I’m interested in – it’s partner career development. It’s understanding and helping people make decisions about their career, and making the context they are making those decisions in as just as possible. And by career I mean the journey through work, learning and … More Partner career development; it’s about paid and unpaid work and career life roles

Partner employment and military to civilian transition

This article originally appeared on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/partner-employment-military-civilian-transition-amanda-mccue-cf/ Employment is a key feature of military transition programs. Here in Australia we have job search preparation workshops, coaching, supportive employer programs and even an employment awards program at the highest level of government. There is broad understanding that employment is an essential part of veteran wellbeing. According … More Partner employment and military to civilian transition

Rank, gender and working arrangements of ADF members: results from the Defence Census and implications for partner employment

When it comes to families we generally don’t think that the rank of the member matters. And family support initiatives are tri-service (or purple) in their approach. But when it comes to partner careers it’s more nuanced than that. Because careers are where personal factors meet contextual ones. For ADF partners these contextual factors include where and how much our ADF members work, and how much of the unpaid family work we’re performing as a result. So it’s with interest that I look at the data from the 2019 Defence Census to find out how the ADF workforce is working in terms of service, rank and gender, and what implications it has for partner employment. … More Rank, gender and working arrangements of ADF members: results from the Defence Census and implications for partner employment

The confusing message of ADF partner employment support

The intent and the content of current partner employment programs raises some interesting questions about what partner employment support in Australia should look like. I’m a big fan of the current Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) but I have written before about how and why it is not enough on its own. What I find … More The confusing message of ADF partner employment support

COVID 19 and ADF Partner Employment Part Seven: data collection

Without data we won’t know the extent of the impact of Covid 19 on ADF families. I believe it is imperative to establish what impact Covid 19 has had on ADF families. How many partners were able to work remotely? What was that experience like for them and their employers? How many partners lost jobs … More COVID 19 and ADF Partner Employment Part Seven: data collection

COVID 19 and ADF Partner Employment Part Six: financial security

One of the main concerns being raised about the disproportionate impact of Covid 19 on women is the longer term financial impact and the risk of poverty in old age. Australian women are already retiring on less superannuation than men mainly due to the fact that they move in and out of paid work more … More COVID 19 and ADF Partner Employment Part Six: financial security

COVID 19 and ADF Partner Employment Part Two: career development and career management

It is more important than ever that job seekers have access to career information, advice and guidance and develop career management skills to help them navigate the rapidly changing labour market and uncertain future. … More COVID 19 and ADF Partner Employment Part Two: career development and career management