Veterans come out of the armed forces with excellent trade and teamwork skills, according to a Northern Territory business that employs many soldiers.
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Darwin businessman Russell Newman says their trade skills, along with a great understanding of teamwork, are part of what makes them such good workers.
His company RGM Maintenance participates in a Defence program that gives civilian commercial experience to trade apprentices in the military.
"There's about 100 apprentices each year get pushed from Defence into trade environments, for on-the-job training so they get commercial experience," he said. "So when they come out of their time they have actually been in a commercial environment as well. It's been very effective."
The Morrison government is promising support for more similar programs as part of a $63 million veterans services package it unveiled on the eve of Anzac Day.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited RGM's heavy vehicle maintenance shed on Wednesday to hear from Mr Newman and his manager Shaymus Frewen, an ex-serviceman, about their experiences.
We must honour the veterans who are living each and every day.
- Scott Morrison
Mr Frewen said while he had switched to civilian life fairly easily, he acknowledged that wasn't the same for all former servicemen and women.
"It depends on the person," he said.
"For some people it can be (tricky), I do understand it when they've been in for quite a while, and for some it's a quick, easy transfer straight out."
The coalition's plan to help make it a quick, easy transfer for as many as possible includes splitting $16.2 million between Soldier On, Team Rubicon and RSL state branches for programs to help former servicemen and women find meaningful civilian jobs in their post-military life.
It would spend $30 million on six new veterans' wellbeing hubs in Darwin, Townsville, Adelaide, Perth, Nowra and Wodonga.
These would integrate government assistance, health services, advocacy and wellbeing support tailored to those who have served.
"We must honour our veterans around our memorials tomorrow but we must honour the veterans who are living each and every day," Mr Morrison told reporters in Darwin.
Labor has promised all Australian veterans the same funeral benefits, regardless of the conflict in which they served as part of a $118 million package.
The funeral expense offering would cost $90.4 million, while the opposition has also committed $20 million towards local war memorials as well as money for art therapy and retreats for veterans.
AAP
