For those who would rather pull on a civilian coat than stay in the uniformed world - Defence has plenty of retraining opportunities. Photo by Cpl Sean Burton, Army newspaper

The way is paved if you need it

By Wg-Cmdr David Lindsay
The White Paper, Defence 2000, Our Future Defence Force, recognised that people are capability.

The importance of retaining skilled and experienced people as a means to maintain and improve capability was realised.

Why then, does Defence spend about $3 million per year helping ADF members transition to civilian employment?

There are two key reasons. First, Defence is a people-focused organisation – by caring for people the organisation and individuals benefit.

The second reason is that if ADF members are confident they’ll be assisted to gain employment if leaving the ADF, they’ll be happy to remain for longer.

A generous range of benefits is available through two schemes – the schemes are the Career Transition Assistance Scheme (CTAS) and the Defence Assisted Study Scheme (DASS).

This financial year, Defence will spend about $2.8 million on CTAS benefits and about $0.3 million on DASS benefits aimed at helping ADF members in career transition.

The primary scheme to help members in career transition is the CTAS. Benefits available through the CTAS include:

• Approved training (Career Transition Training – CTT).
• Professional outplacement services (Career Transition Management Coaching – CTMC).
• Professional help to develop a resume.
• Financial planning advice.
• On-job experience in civilian workplaces (OJE).
• Release from duty for transition-related activities (Approved Absence – AA).
• Attendance at ADF Transition Seminars.
• Access to computer-based information.
• Identifying suitable employment.
• Job searching.
• Developing a resume.
• Personal presentation at interviews.

Members’ benefits under the CTAS vary, depending on how long members have served and the type of discharge.

For members who discharge voluntarily, entitlements increase after completing five, 12 and 18 years of service.

Members who reach Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) having completed a minimum of 12 years service are entitled to the same benefits as members who voluntarily discharge having completed 18 or more years of service.

Members who are medically discharged or made redundant are eligible for most, or all, of the available benefits. The table below shows who may access each benefit.

The following are courses that may be approved under the CTAS, provided they meet policy requirements in your case:

• Flying endorsement.
• Driving heavy vehicles.
• Plant operator training.
• SCUBA instructor.
• Company director course.
• Wine-making.
• Vessel Master certification.
• Real estate management.

Make sure you access your CTAS benefits as soon as you have applied to leave the ADF. Discuss your post-discharge career intentions with your local Resettlement Officer so you can plan and prepare for discharge.

You can find out more about CTAS from:

• ADF Pay and Conditions Manual Chap 10 part 7
• The CTAS web sites: http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpectap
• http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpectap/

The primary aim of DASS is to improve the study opportunities of ADF personnel and to encourage members to consider professional education and training options throughout their careers.

DASS is based on different levels of support, depending on the nature of the course or development program.

Under DASS, this financial year about $2 million will be spent on Defence-related courses.

Most of those courses are also valued by civilian employers improving applicants’ post-discharge employment opportunities.

A further $0.3 million will used to sponsor members undertaking courses related to their post-discharge employment intentions.

All members on full-time service may apply for vocationally-focused courses for career transition purposes. Members are normally reimbursed 75 per cent of costs, up to $1000 per year, on successful completion of courses.

The courses must relate to the member’s intended post-discharge career and the member must intend to discharge within a reasonable timeframe.

For more information

• DI (G) Pers 05-1
• Your Unit or Regional Education Officer
• The following DASS approval delegates:
  • Sydney: Lt-Col T. Bettison (02) 9377 3700
  • Central and Northern NSW: Ms M. Moss (02) 4964 7385
  • Southern Qld: Lt-Col D. Weaver (07) 3233 4490
  • North Qld: Maj L. Anderson (07) 4771 1630
  • NT: Maj R. Powell (08) 8935 2532
  • WA: Maj B. Jenkins (08) 9311 2413
  • SA: Maj A. Lonie (08) 8259 5753
  • Southern Vic: Mr S. Cook (03) 9282 3650
  • Riverina/Murray Valley: Maj A. Thomas (02) 6055 2400
  • Tas: Maj A. Norris (03) 6237 719

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