14 Oct 2020

Soldier On welcomes Babcock Australasia as Pledge Partner

Babcock Australasia has formalised its commitment to support veteran employment and wellbeing in Australia and New Zealand by becoming a Soldier On Bronze Pledge Partner for 2020.

The Soldier On Pledge is a standard that enables organisations across Australia to signal their support for current and ex-services personnel and their families by creating veteran-friendly workplaces and recognising the skills and attributes they offer.

Babcock Australasia’s Chief Executive Officer, David Ruff and Chief Financial Officer & Executive Director Corporate, Andrew Cridland signed the pledge today at a Veteran’s Morning Tea at the company’s Regional Support Centre in Adelaide, South Australia. Mr Cridland is Chair of Babcock Australasia’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.

Director of Veterans SA, Catherine Walsh attended the event, alongside Soldier On’s Chief Executive Officer Ivan Slavich and Pathways Program Director Prue Slaughter, as well as members of Babcock’s veterans’ community.

Mr Ruff said Babcock is a well-established supporter of veteran employment with a workforce comprising highly qualified ex-service personnel in addition to active Defence Reservists.

“Veterans make up a large proportion of Babcock’s Defence and Aviation businesses,” he said.

“On Babcock’s Counter – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (C-CBRNE) contract with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), more than 70% of staff are veterans. At our Warrnambool aviation base in Victoria, 12 out of 13 pilot, air crew and ground crew are veterans.

“Babcock is committed to integrating veterans into our business. We recognise the outstanding skills and experience that they have to offer as Babcock continues to grow as a Defence, Aviation and Critical Services company from our regional headquarters in South Australia.”

Soldier On’s Chief Executive Officer, Ivan Slavich acknowledged Babcock’s long-standing commitment to veteran employment.

“We are delighted to welcome Babcock as a Soldier On Bronze Pledge Partner who are striving to increase their support for the veteran community,” said Mr Slavich.

“Babcock already has a strong veteran-supportive workplace culture in place. They are also taking the initiative to really understand the needs of the veteran community, the impact that serving has on the whole Defence family and what they can do as an organisation to enable veterans and their families to secure their future careers and thrive at work after leaving the Defence Force.”

The Soldier On Pathways team works directly with Pledge Partners to provide advice about employing and recruiting service personnel, veterans and family members, as well as help provide quality applicants.

Soldier On’s Pathways Program Director, Prudence Slaughter, said Pledge Partners are integral to enabling veterans and their families to thrive.

“With the support and collaboration of veteran-friendly companies like Babcock, the Soldier On Pathways Program is helping to ensure that more veterans and their family members secure meaningful long-term employment,” Ms Slaughter said.