New program launched to help ADF spouses develop careers

A new program has been launched specifically for the leadership development of Defence and veteran spouses.

The Families of Veterans Guild will deliver the Women in Leadership Development (WILD) program to support its new Rise Together Initiative, which aims to build the career confidence of Defence and veteran partners.

Launching the program in Canberra on Monday (3 March), Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said the program aims to empower Defence and veteran spouses to kickstart their leadership journey with tailored support, including workshops and coaching.

“Defence and veteran spouses are resilient, adaptable and resourceful – all vital leadership skills,” Senator Gallagher said.

“However, being part of a Defence family often means spouses’ careers take a back seat.

“This program is an important opportunity for women to build the skills and confidence to take the next steps in their careers.”

Renee Wilson, the chief executive officer of the Families of Veterans Guild, said the Rise Together Initiative aims to build the career confidence of Defence and veteran partners.

It will directly address the negative impacts of Defence service on their careers.

Families of veterans balance the many demands of supporting family, relocations and adjustments, deployments and other absences from home, transition out of service and caring roles due to illness or injury.

She said career satisfaction is an important element of wellbeing.

Veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining their career aspirations due to the unique nature of Defence life, increasing their risk of unemployment and underemployment.

The purpose of the initiative is to encourage partners of former or current serving ADF members to focus on self-care and expand their careers by engaging in a WILD program with like-minded peers.

The WILD program is for women from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, seeking development experience to help them upskill and prepare for future roles.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the Federal Government was continuing to support valued Defence and veteran families, with applications now open for the leadership development program designed for spouses.

“The sacrifices families make to support ADF members play a crucial role in protecting our nation’s security, but too often go unrecognised,” he said.

“Our government is proud to support initiatives like this to support Defence partner employment as well as the Veteran Employment Program, in recognition of the sacrifice of these spouses from supporting their partners’ service to our nation.”

Defence and veteran spouses can apply for the program through the Families of Veterans Guild website.

The organisation has received $92,000 to deliver the WILD program from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program.

In 2025, the Rise Together Initiative will provide 12 Defence and veteran partners with the ability to undertake the program.

Applications are now open and close on 7 April 2024.

The website lays out the value of applying to the program.

“You may feel like an emerging leader, or you may feel like a ‘re-emerging’ leader, looking for a reset or ready for a sprint in your development,” it says.

“This may be your first leadership development program, or perhaps it has been a while since your last opportunity to pause and focus on your development and you feel the time is right.

“WILD provides an opportunity to explore what it takes for women to exercise leadership and take up authority in leadership roles in Australia.

“This program is not about ‘fixing’ women but looking at leadership through the lens of gender.

“We look at leadership work as identity work and in this context explore how gender bias and organisational and societal barriers impact women taking up leadership roles.

“WILD aims to support women to focus on their own aspirations, and development goals and to consider the impact they would like to have in their workplaces and communities.”