RSL WA and Austal have joined forces to promote veteran wellbeing, community and sovereign capability in Western Australia.
This long-term partnership creates a strategic alliance between Australia’s Strategic Shipbuilder and the state’s largest veteran support organisation.
Austal joins RSL WA and other founding partners in delivering long-term support for the newest, major piece of infrastructure to support veterans, serving personnel and their families – the Goldsworthy Veterans and Families Centre (GVFC). The GVFC will provide welfare, community and wellbeing support as one of DVA’s newest veteran hubs. The centre will support not only veterans and their families, but also currently serving ADF and AUKUS personnel.
A sovereign prime headquartered in WA, Austal’s enduring commitment to WA veterans is complimentary to their position as the Commonwealth of Australia’s partner in the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement (SSA) and their existing support to the Veterans Transition Centre (VTC). Austal Ltd’s CEO, Paddy Gregg said:
“Austal’s support for the GVFC represents the cornerstone in a much broader strategic relationship. RSL WA’s Workforce Connect team will now partner with Austal to innovate new pathways into defence industry and shipbuilding careers for those leaving service. Workforce Connect will also seek to support Austal in its immediate hiring requirements, recognising the uniquely transferrable skills set and experience that veterans can bring to the WA workforce. RSL WA will also work with Austal to deliver veteran support services to Austal’s significant cohort of veterans and reservists already working at its operations in Henderson as Austal targets recognition as a Veteran Employer of Choice.”
RSL WA CEO, Stephen Barton said: “Over the next 3 years and beyond, RSL WA and Austal will continue to create meaningful outcomes for WA’s veteran community, serving personnel and their families.”
For further information on RSL WA’s Workforce Connect program, please visit rslwaworkforceconnect.org.au for career support.
Visit rslwa.org.au/services/goldsworthy-centre for more information about the Goldsworthy Veterans and Families Centre.
Image: Mat Preedy, Austal Executive General Manager Operations (left), and Stephen Barton, RSL WA CEO (right).
