TAFE SA is offering a new program to help transitioning Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, veterans and their families migrate their skills and interests to careers in the civilian workforce.

The TAFE SA Skills Transition Education Program (STEP) provides a customised service for transitioning ADF members and their families, assisting with career guidance, enrolment, retraining or upskilling and study support to help them in the transition to the civilian world and to secure work.

The specialist program recognises that ADF veterans have a unique combination of experience, skills and qualifications which can be adapted to the demands of the current and future workforce in South Australia.

TAFE SA Chief Executive David Coltman says ADF personnel receive outstanding training as part of their Defence Force service, and the experience they have while serving sees them develop real expertise that is very attractive to industry when they are ready for their civilian career.

“ADF veterans are also able to hone their skills, often in challenging environments over time, and the result is often incredible technical capability that gives them choice for their future careers,” Mr Coltman says.

“These skills are in most cases exactly what our future workforce will require and through STEP we bring the resources of TAFE SA to ADF members and their families.

“We help veterans see the opportunities that exist and to help them get the roles they desire. We support veterans through the vocational education and training (VET) system and we do this respectfully recognising their contribution and sacrifices they have made.”

STEP participant and ADF veteran Joshua Emms spent 17 years in the Australian Army before transitioning to a civilian career.

“In the ADF my main job was power distribution, power generation, refrigeration equipment and auto electrical,” Joshua says.

“A lot of the skills I obtained through defence are transferable to civilian life.”

Joshua is now an apprentice at Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) and is completing a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician through TAFE SA, building on the experience he gained through his ADF career.

“I would recommend STEP to other members thinking about transitioning. I was in that situation where I was scared to make the leap, but I went out and did it and I haven’t looked back,” he says.

“My transition from the ADF has been quite smooth thanks to STEP.”

TAFE SA’s STEP has been developed after extensive consultation with the Department of Defence and ex-service organisations to ensure it meets the needs of veterans and their families.

STEP brings together a range of TAFE SA support services and streamlines processes to give veterans a clear career pathway. The program includes specialised career guidance from the TAFE SA team, assistance in navigating funding and support that veterans may be eligible for, targeted sessions on what’s expected when you study, as well as ongoing support while studying.

Veterans can access TAFE SA’s entire training portfolio, from short courses through to full qualifications, for both full and part-time study. STEP is also available to veterans’ partners, who often experience interrupted study with frequent postings.

As part of STEP, TAFE SA has partnered with Veterans SA, Returned & Services League of Australia (South Australian Branch), and Soldier On.

For more information, view the STEP video or visit the TAFE SA website.