Hi, I have just recently left the Army after 14 years in March and have not been successful getting a job on the outside for three months now.

At this stage, I have just started selling my assets eg. House, cars etc., so I can support my family because I can't receive centre link payments until I am totally broke.

For the last 14 years in the army I have been an Infantry soldier and have been on number of training exercises and deployments overseas in a combat role in that time. My rank was SGT before I left and because of my rank I have qualifications in man management, training and assessment and security operations. I am also a qualified wood machinist by trade before enlisting in the ADF.

I have been applying for traineeships, apprentice jobs within the mines, as well as security jobs across the country with no success.

I am currently located in Brisbane and quite happy to relocate anywhere in Australia, even overseas to secure work if required.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and it is greatly appreciated on any feedback regarding my situation.

Matt.

Short term, mining in Queensland, there are tickets that you'll require to give yourself a starting chance. Over in the West you'll probably have a chance with less start up requirements. Have you got a HR licence? Are you looking at doing anything in the mines, or security and trades in particular?
I've got a couple of my mates starts (similar age to yourself) as drillers off siders (bloody hard work), they've moved off into down hole survey jobs (cruisey), I started as a drillers off sider and now work in bulk explosives (if that is something you are interested in, get in touch with Orica mining services, they have jobs over in the West that they are recruiting for now, you'll need a HR licence). Another mate went from drillers off sider into a sparky apprenticeship in the mines.
There are a lot of Infantry blokes working in the mining and construction industry in safety roles and a lot of others working in security up in PNG.
My advice would be to get your self on RAR Buddies on facebook (contrary to popular media opinion we're not the worlds biggest pack of arseholes), there are a lot of us on there working in the industry and we'll be able to point you in the right direction.
There is also a bloke in this section of the site advertising his company as a ADF focussed HR company, he might be able to find you something.

Mate i'd suggest truck driving. Ive worked up and down the east coast of Australia as a driver and have always found work. If your not licenced to drive a heavy vehicle, it wont take to long to get your MR licence and after a year you can upgrade to HC.

I've sent you a PM on another suggestion.

Do you have any interest in the emergency services? I would imagine all 3 of them would be interested in the training and experience you have had over the years.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=10598

This is the thread about recruiter in case you havn't seen it. Good luck with your employment search

On the emergency services front- Queensland fire service have a full page add in the latest contact mag and I think in the few before that, so they may still be looking.

This is a good option, but the time taken to get into this role are pretty drawn out and I think probably a bit too long given this blokes predicament financially speaking.

Have you considered flying for a living?
I own the Bunbury Flying School here in WA and we have recently been registered as an RTO, the next step is to obtain CRICOS registation and we are well along the way towards this.
This will allow us to offer fee help to students backed by the Govt.

After 14 yrs in the military you may be too old to be considered for an airline job after training but you would certainly be elligable to become an instructor. Home in your own bed every night etc.

I have recently written to the minister for veterans affairs to try and get some financial help for returned servicemen/women but as of yet haven't recieved a reply. Not hopefull either considering the mess that the political scene is in over East.

Have a look on Southern Aviation's web site---that's us.
Jim Spring is my manager at the school and he is a Vietnam Vet and very easy to talk too.

Blair Howe
0427774687

Hi,

Sorry everyone who have looked at my post for this late reply, I have been busy. I like to thank those, that have put information down on this post to help me out. At the moment I am still unemployed and have put some of your ideas into action.

Thank again Mattson

It's all about of being part of the community, hope everything works out for the best.