RSL Queensland Annual Report 2020

43 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2020 Employment Program The RSL Queensland Employment Program helps ex-Defence members and the partners of current or former Defence members find meaningful employment. Our highly trained team works with clients to determine how to best support their search for employment. Securing meaningful employment is about more than just finding a job. It’s about aiding the transition to civilian life or helping to settle in after relocation. The right role can provide meaningful engagement and direction, and result in a fulfilling career. The program is designed to support veterans like Tristan King, who spent seven years in the Army at 8th/9th Battalion in Brisbane. Upon discharge, Tristan knew he wanted to do a trade, but felt overwhelmed trying to find a job in the civilian sector. With the help and support of RSL Queensland’s Employment Program team, Tristan secured an apprenticeship with Energy Queensland. "The RSLQueensland Employment Program’s a massive help for anyone leaving Defence. I probably wouldn’t be here without it. It’s helped me achieve a secure job that I enjoy." TRISTAN KING Army veteran Our initiative not only provides housing, but also through our specialist Wellbeing Advocates provides the surrounding support services to address a living condition that is generally an outcome of complex underlying factors. In 2020, 108 individuals and families were helped into safe, permanent housing through our program, a 44 per cent increase on the previous year. Scholarships Higher education and training opens the door to opportunities. For those in the Defence family, this can mean employability, purpose and security. RSL Queensland provides scholarships to ex-Defence members, partners and children, to enable them to undertake tertiary study and vocational training. For former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) dog handler Adam Mitchell, an RSL Queensland Scholarship was just the boost that he needed. After serving for almost 12 years, Adam retired from the RAAF in September 2019. Adam was awarded an RSL Queensland Ex-Defence Scholarship, which he has put toward a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at the University of the Sunshine Coast. "In the Defence Force, we do have a very clear sense of purpose. We have missions and directives that we must follow. In 2020, RSLQueensland found 155 jobs for veterans and their partners through the Employment Program – an increase of 17 per cent on the previous year. 10 veterans from our program were offered positions in the Ergon Energy Network and Energex Apprenticeship Program. And the program won the Prime Minister ’s Veterans’ Employment Awards for Excellence in Supporting Spouse Employment. Homelessness Program Safe, permanent housing is one of our most basic needs but sadly, some ex-Defence members are lacking just that. RSL Queensland’s Homelessness Program provides veterans with immediate emergency accommodation in partnership with The Salvation Army. Once the veteran is safe, we take a holistic approach to address the causes behind the veteran’s homelessness, while at the same time working to find them suitable permanent rental accommodation. "By addressing the root causes behind veteran homelessness at the same time as we work to find them suitable accommodation, we aim to break the cycle that has led to them becoming homeless in the first place." ROB SKODA Interim CEO, RSLQueensland Transitioning into the civilian life, that goes away very quickly, but I’ve found that through the study, I’ve been able to find that purpose again, that drive to better myself. The RSLQueensland Scholarship came at a time when I was having a bit of a rough period and it was the boost to my morale that I really needed." ADAM MITCHELL Former RAAF dog handler In 2020, RSLQueensland offered 79 scholarships – worth $698,000 – to veterans like Adam, partners and children. We made a strategic decision to reinvest budgeted scholarship funding not allocated due to shorter term studies taken by recipients. This reinvestment strategy has increased our scholarships program this year – a 32 per cent increase in the number of scholarships awarded, and a 40 per cent increase in the total value – allowing us to maximise the scholarship allocation and support more education and training opportunities for the veteran community. Adam’s testimonial Tristan’s testimonial It was the boost to my morale that I really needed. Continued on next page / 2020 RSL Queensland Scholarship Ceremony highlights Building Brighter Futures Annual Highlights