CERIC has partnered with Canada Company, the leader in military employment transition, to provide the over 100,000 Canadian career service professionals with the tools they need to help veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

In 2016, there will be approximately 5,000 new, highly skilled veterans entering the competitive job market, and one in four will have difficulty transitioning to civilian life despite bringing unique skills and experiences to potential employers. Veterans are facing various challenges including, employers not understanding military culture and systems, the career development needs of veterans, or how to determine civilian equivalencies.

CERIC and Canada Company worked closely with the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada, Military Family Services, military-friendly employers, post-secondary institutions, front line career professionals, and veterans and their families to develop Military to Civilian Employment: A Career Practitioner’s Guide. 

“At CERIC, the projects we support are driven by need,” said Jan Basso, Chair of CERIC and Director of Co-operative Education and Career Development at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. “For the last few years, we have been hearing that career professionals across Canada are seeing more clients come to them from a military background. Career professionals are looking for a specialized resource they can use in helping veterans make the transition to meaningful and satisfying work in the civilian labour market,” Basso said.

“Our nation is embracing the challenge of educating and empowering military members and veterans as they choose to take what can be an overwhelming step for their next career,” said Angela Mondou, President of Canada Company. “We are proud of our partnership with CERIC and more importantly the huge difference thousands of well informed career professionals will make in supporting the challenges of the veteran transition experience. The Military to Civilian Employment: A Career Practitioner’s Guide helps Canada get one step closer to a nation that appreciates our members who have served.”

The guide will be officially launched at CERIC’s 10th annual Cannexus conference – taking place at Ottawa’s Shaw Centre from January 25-27. Cannexus is the largest bilingual career development conference in Canada, where over 900 attendees will explore innovative approaches in the areas of career counseling and career development.

CERIC and Canada Company are also pleased to welcome General (Retired) Walter Natynczyk, Deputy Minister Veterans Affairs Canada, to the official launch of Military to Civilian Employment: A Career Practitioner’s Guide.

Following the launch, the guide will also be available in print, ebook (via Amazon and Chapters/Indigo) and as a free pdf at www.ceric.ca/military.