Veolia ANZ has been listed as a Veteran Employer of Choice, one of only 47 companies in Australia to reach this highest level in the Veteran Employment Program. The announcement reflects a key part of Veolia’s global Green Up strategy to diversify the workforce and reflect the communities we work in as we bring ecological transformation to businesses, communities and the environment across Australia. It continues Veolia’s long global commitment to transitioning veterans into civilian employment and make them a vital part of our company. In Australia, the Veterans at Veolia program has created a pathway that has seen us add 80 veterans to our workforce.
Veolia ANZ CEO and Managing Director Richard Kirkman said the program didn’t just benefit veterans, it also made Veolia stronger too. “Veterans come with highly qualified and transferable skills that are suited to our work of ecological transformation across our energy, water, industrial, environmental and waste operations,” Kirkman said. “Working with key stakeholders ― like SoldierOn, Right Employment, and Returned And Services League ― we have provided a pathway for service personnel into a civilian career that range from drivers through to management across growing industries that are foundational to a future circular economy.”
The program is open to reserves, veterans, serving personnel and their families. Veterans at Veolia also helps to advance the careers of service spouses before, during and after deployment or a posting cycle.
Veolia’s Gladstone Branch Manager Kyle Reid is one of the veterans that has made the transition from Australia’s armed forces to a career with Veolia. Following an overseas deployment as a High Risk Searcher, Reid was medically discharged with knee and shoulder injuries, a common occurrence for those on active duty. These injuries were the result of extreme loads carried over long distances and in rugged conditions. The transition from Defence to civilian life was tough, with Reid applying for 48 jobs and only getting two interviews. Eventually, he found himself a role with Veolia driving a skip truck in Brisbane, which evolved into a role as an operations manager and then in his current position as the Branch Manager of our Gladstone Branch for Environmental Services.
His journey into Veolia has given him an insight into the value of the program and encouraged him to take on an active leadership role as Co-Chair of the program with his colleague and founder Dale Manley.
“Veterans at Veolia is really a community within the larger Veolia community that supports veterans making the change to civilian life. We have a buddy system in place and a community of people with similar experiences that allow our new veterans to ask questions and feel safe and supported,” Manley said. “We have been very fortunate to have the strong support of our senior executives and active support across the rest of the business. Veolia has been very open to making veterans an important part of its business and they have been crucial in the success of Veterans at Veolia. This is just the beginning for Veolia. As we work ever more closely with our veterans we have, with their input, been able to formulate a plan for the future that will see them grow as a valued group of employees in our business that will help us achieve our ecological transformation ambitions.”
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