The Bluerydge team often has a presence at career fairs and expos to showcase their Veteran Employment Program. Photo: Bluerydge.
If you’re an employer who’s tired of the constant hunt for talent, one Canberra businessman says you may have overlooked candidates whose employment history has ingrained in them integrity, teamwork, leadership, community, discipline, punctuality and impeccable presentation.
Jim Boekel, founder and CEO of Canberra cyber security and technology firm Bluerydge, finds it perplexing that veterans remain an under-tapped cohort in the employment market.
“Veterans, whether their service was in the military, police or emergency services, are people who have generally been held to a high standard and whose foundational skills tend to be exactly what employers look for,” he says.
“They have often had to demonstrate leadership and perform in challenging circumstances to a degree that’s not always found in civilian environments.
“Generally, veterans are self-starters and mission-focused. That is, they’re driven to achieve the outcomes set for them and enjoy working towards an overall goal. These qualities are extremely valuable to organisations.”
Valuable as these “soft skills” are, veterans can also come from a variety of backgrounds and bring highly technical skills to the table.
“You can do almost any job in the military, including project management, IT, HR, logistics, transport and a variety of specialist and trade roles,” Jim says. “Employers should really think about the different specialisations they’ll be looking to fill and try to match that up with a veteran’s role in service. Many will, like us, find it’s a no-brainer.”
With two veteran founders at the helm, including Jim, supporting veterans is an unsurprising part of Bluerydge’s DNA.
The company is a finalist in the Veteran Employment category of the National Veteran Awards – an award they have won before. It recognises the achievements of Australian organisations that actively recruit, employ and support veterans and their partners and are creating workplaces where they can thrive.
Two of Bluerydge’s three founders are veterans, and the company employs a large number of veterans as well. Photo: Bluerydge.
Aside from employing a large number of veterans, Bluerydge has taken steps in its company policies and processes to consider veterans’ needs, such as providing a generous ADF Reserves Leave Policy to an already comprehensive employee support and benefits package that all employees receive.
“We’ve found some people coming from military backgrounds are passionate about continuing to serve through ADF reserves to stay connected with the Defence community,” Jim says.
“I think employers should actively seek to create environments that are attractive to veterans. And at the end of the day, we can all benefit from creating an ecosystem where veterans can stay involved in Defence and continue to contribute to our country’s Defence capabilities if they want to.”
Bluerydge’s Veterans Pathway Program also provides professional development opportunities for veterans looking for careers in the cyber and technology sectors through tertiary education, certification and on-the-job mentoring.
“Because of the firm’s background, as a company, we’re experienced in helping veterans upskill in the cyber and technology sectors,” Jim says. “We can look at a veteran’s background and have a good idea of where they need to be and how to address any gaps to get them there.”
Bluerydge also actively supports external veteran organisations, including not-for-profits like Soldier On and veteran-focused initiatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and engages the veteran community at career fairs and expos.
Jim says veterans looking for a new career in their civilian lives will give themselves the best chance by seeking any necessary education as early as possible in the transition and by networking.
“After a long service career, moving to civilian life can feel like a giant leap. There is stress that comes with walking into the unknown. Getting out there and making connections is a powerful tool in that journey,” he says.
“I would advise veterans to engage with vet-friendly organisations like Bluerydge – there’s a list on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs employment program website that is a good place to start.”
He also points to financial assistance with formal education and transition seminars held by veteran-focused organisations that also help with CV and interview preparation.
“That can be invaluable to veterans, many of whom have never gone through the traditional processes of seeking employment in the private sector,” Jim says.
“There’s more help than there used to be through a number of organisations, as well as vet-friendly private businesses who know the value that our veterans bring to employers.”
For more information, contact Bluerydge.
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