A mentoring program that connects veteran community members with business leaders to help them achieve career success is now open, providing a pathway for Defence personnel and their partners to work towards their professional goals.

Applications to nominate for positions as either a mentor or mentee are now open and will close on 22 March 2024.

The Veterans SA Career and Business Mentoring Program enables currently transitioning and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, Reservists and Defence partners to connect with local industry leaders, develop critical skills and take the next steps in their career or business.

Members of the veteran community are paired with experienced South Australian business figures who share their knowledge and insights as mentors to unlock participants’ full potential and build mentees’ skills and confidence in the workplace.

The 2024 program, which is free, will run over eight months from April to November – an extension on the previous six-month program, with pairs working together on career planning, skills translation and business tips and networking.

Mentees are offered a choice of two program streams – Career and Skills Development or Business Development and Entrepreneurship – and matched with a mentor who best suits their individual needs.

Mentor applications are open to professionals from diverse backgrounds, such as small business, academia, and strategy and consulting, and have included former-serving ADF members wanting to give back to the veteran community.

Now in its third year, 35 members of the veteran community have completed the mentoring program with participants going on to secure meaningful employment, seek new opportunities within the workplace and bring business ideas to life.

The program is part of a $2.1 million State Budget commitment to improve outcomes for veterans and their families, with a host of initiatives being rolled out.

RAAF veteran and 2023 mentee Kat Hare said that when she was medically separated from the RAAF in 2022, she lost her “identity, purpose and belonging”.

“Business helped me regain my identity and purpose, but belonging was still absent,” Ms Hare said.

“I needed a mentor, someone who could sound board my ideas, challenge my plans and ask good questions that led to breakthroughs.

“I was matched with Paul, who gave me everything I needed.

“My message to other veterans is the people, presentations and resources of the mentoring program will help you, no matter what stage of business you’re at.”

Veterans SA Director Chantelle Bohan said that each year the Career and Business Mentoring Program was carefully designed to support the needs of currently transitioning and former ADF members and their partners to develop new skills and prepare for future careers and ventures post-service.

“It is fantastic that this opportunity can be offered to another group of highly skilled and experienced individuals who can benefit from the program this year,” Ms Bohan said.