Question Period Note: CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES

• We know that gainful employment and satisfaction in the workplace can ease some of the stressors facing Veterans and families during the transition from military to civilian life.

• So, we committed $74.1 million over six years to enhance the Career Transition Services program so Veterans and their families can find the work they want in their post-military lives.

• In Budget 2019, the Government has amended legislation for Career Transition Services so that members of the Supplementary Reserve are now eligible for the increased services provided to Veterans.

• Serving Canadian Armed Forces members (Regular Force and Reserve) have access to career counsellors.

• Career Transition Services are available and being provided to eligible clients in support of their career needs and objectives.

BACKGROUND - CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES

Serving Canadian Armed Forces members (Regular Force and Reserve) will have access to:
• career counsellors who will be able to provide information about the civilian labour market

Serving Canadian Armed Forces members who are in the release process, as well as spouses and common law partners of recently released Canadian Armed Forces Veterans who apply within 2 years of the Veteran’s release, have access to:
• career counselling; and
• job-search training

Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and their survivors have access, throughout their life, to:
• career counselling;
• job-search training; and
• job-finding assistance

Implementation:

• Veterans Affairs Canada has engaged a national third-party contractor, Agilec, to administer services on its behalf.

• Services are being provided to serving Canadian Armed Forces members who complete basic training and to eligible Veterans, survivors, and spouses.

This program came into effect April 1, 2018. The Supplementary Reservists became eligible for the Veterans level of services (increased from the still serving levels) on July 5, 2019. This aligned with changes made to the eligibility for the Education and Training Benefit.

The Career Transition Services supports and guides Veterans, their spouses and their survivors in finding the work they want in their post-military life.

The redesigned and enhanced benefit was announced on March 23, 2017 as part of the Government of Canada’s 2017 budget.

Providing enhanced Career Transition Services through a contracted service delivery model, and eliminating time limits for Veterans and survivors, addressed previous concerns with low program uptake and eliminate the need for participants have to find and pay for services up-front themselves.

This benefit complements the new education and training benefit to help Veterans make informed choices about their career path.

None