Question Period Note: EMPLOYMENT FOR VETERANS

• When Veterans leave the military, they can bring their valuable skills and expertise developed through service to a second career.
• Employment after service plays a key role in the well-being of Veterans, supporting financial stability, restoring purpose, and fostering social connection.
• The National Veterans Employment Strategy is an evergreen strategy designed to promote Veteran employment, support employers and make it easier for Veterans to translate their skills to build a post military career.
• The Department is working with certifying bodies to improve recognition of military training and skills, helping Veterans transition into civilian professions. This will allow Veterans to use their skills and their leadership across job sectors to help build Canada strong.
• Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is currently reviewing the deliverables of the National Veterans Employment Strategy to identify the elements that can be effectively measured. This includes assessing indicators such as Veteran participation in services, programs, and engagement forums.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is committed to ensuring that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans are supported in their transition to life after service. Employment is a critical component to overall well-being, providing stability, a renewed sense of purpose, and social connection.
The 2021 Census showed Veterans had a slightly lower unemployment rate (8.6%) compared to the general population (10%). Data from Census 2026 will serve as a benchmark for us to know what is working and what is not working under the Strategy. VAC is now reviewing all NVES deliverables to identify what can be measured, including the Employer Recognition program and Veteran’s participation in various services, offerings and forums.
On June 28, 2024, VAC launched the National Veterans Employment Strategy (NVES). This evergreen strategy represents a major milestone in advancing Veteran employment outcomes, shaped by more than two years of research and consultation with over 1,200 Veterans, employers, and stakeholders across Canada.
The NVES is built around four foundational objectives:
1. Improved Services and expand programs for Veterans.
2. Create and recognize “Veteran Ready” employers committed to hiring, training, and retaining Veterans.
3. Position the Federal Public Service as a leader in Veteran employment.
4. Build trusted partnerships across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
Key Initiatives
Career Transition Services (CTS): Offers coaching, resume and interview preparation, job placement, and entrepreneurship support for Veterans, survivors, and families.
Career Webinars: Over 7,100 Veteran registrations and 400 employer presentations, with hundreds of direct employer connections facilitated.
Hire a Veteran LinkedIn Group: More than 6,900 members, including 600 employer representatives, with a wide range of f new opportunities posted weekly.
Veteran Job Bank: A one-stop online hub for employers to post jobs directly for Veterans, developed with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in 2020.
Skills Translation and Accreditation: Collaboration with certifying bodies and regulators to recognize military training and translate experience into the civilian workforce.
Partnerships: Ongoing collaboration with organizations such as Helmets to Hardhats, True Patriot Love Foundation, Treble Victor Group, Coding for Veterans, and Soldiers in Tech.
Veteran Employer Recognition Initiative: As outlined in the National Veteran Employment Strategy, VAC is working diligently to implement a Veteran Employer Recognition Initiative to recognize private sector employers who demonstrate leadership in hiring and retaining Veterans. Eligible employers who apply and meet the criteria will receive a digital badge—either “Veteran Friendly” or “Veteran Ready”—as a public “seal of recognition” for their commitment.

Employment Landscape
• On average 7,800 CAF members release each year, with about 2/3 seeking civilian employment after service.
• 65% of Regular Force Veterans are employed within their first 3 years post-release (2019 LASS).
• 28% of Veterans report experiencing difficulties finding civilian work, citing challenges such as credential recognition, health barriers, and lack of networks.
• Veterans had a slightly lower unemployment rate (8.6%) compared to the general population (10%) (2021 Census).
• The workforce availability for Veterans is 1.17% (Census, 2021).
• In 2024-25, 293 Veterans self-identified as new hires into the Federal Public Service under one of the provisions available (mobility, preference, priority).
The National Veterans Employment Strategy
• 1,200 consultations: Veterans, employers, and stakeholders engaged in shaping the National Veterans Employment Strategy.
• 4 strategic priorities: Improve services, create Veteran Ready employers, position the public service as leader, and build partnerships.
• 90% of Strategy roadmap items are underway, and 65% of actions have been implemented. This work is ongoing. Key achievements include enhanced Career Transition Services, expanded peer mentoring networks, improved recognition of military skills and accreditations, and strengthened partnerships with employers and community organizations.
• In the most recent (2024) Public Service Employee Survey, Veterans were given the opportunity to self-identify. The results from 186,200 respondents indicate that Veterans account for 4% of the public service and 6% of VAC’s workforce.
Engagement and Partnerships
• 7,100+ registrations with over 400 employer presentations delivered through Career Webinars and Digital Career Fairs over the last three years.
• With over 6,900 members, the Hire a Veteran LinkedIn Group includes more than 600 employer representatives who regularly post job opportunities.
• Key partnerships built with stakeholders including Helmets to Hardhats, True Patriot Love, Treble Victor Group, Coding for Veterans and Soldiers in Tech.
Employment Programs and Services
• Career Transition Services: available to Veterans, survivors, and families – providing job coaching, resume and interview prep, and direct job placement. Approximately 90-100 new candidates each month seek support from CTS averaging a steady state of 1,000 active candidates.
• Veterans Job Bank: centralized hub for job postings, developed with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in 2020.
• Veterans Hiring Act amendment and the Public Service Employment Act (2015): amended to grant priority hiring status for medically released Veterans.