Military Employment Transition for Spouses Program Kerry Wheelehan, J.D, LL.M Canada Company kerry.wheelehan@canadacompany.ca 647-217-3896 Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections 1

An employer network , administered by Canada Company and Military Family Services, where partnering employers are aware of the inherent employability of military spouses and explore accommodation for this mobile workforce. In turn, employers strengthen their workforce and enhance their organizational culture and reputation. Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

What do we Know about the Military Spouse Population? Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Military Spouses in Canada: 61,500+ military spouses are located across Canada in every province and territory, from metropolitan areas to remote towns. Map represents approximate military spouse populations. Please note 9,200 spouses are not included in the provincial numbers. Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Military Spouses in Canada are: Diverse Age of CAF Spouse 67% are between the ages of 25-44 13% are male 77% report English as their first language 23% report French as their first language 82% live off base in civilian homes 64% are the spouse of a Regular Force member 36% are the spouse of a Reservist Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Reported CAF Spouse Education Military Spouses in Canada are: Educated and Skilled Reported CAF Spouse Education Reported CAF Spouse Education 62.14% have a postsecondary diploma or degree. Military spouses represent a variety of industries and professions Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Military Spouses in Canada are: Motivated Motivated Recent research found that there is an “infusion of a ‘can do’ spirit in overcoming obstacles and impediments among many non-serving partners…” - 2013 CF Ombudsman Report Military Spouse Top Motivations for Employment Achieve personal fulfilment Maintain skills and career status Gain independence Pay bills and cover expenses “It can be done. You can find the job you want. You can be your own person” – Military Spouse Motivated Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Military spouses are experts at adapting to change. Military Spouses in Canada are: Adaptable and Mobile Top feelings reported by spouses when their partner is deployed: Capable Confident In Control Military spouses are experts at adapting to change. The usual duration of a military posting is 3-5 years; however, postings vary based on circumstance. When surveyed, 20% of military spouses had been in their current location for 3-5 years and 30% for more than 5 years. Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

What is the Military Employment Transition for Spouses Program? Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

METSpouse Why have a METSpouse Program? METSpouse Program Objectives Spousal employment is the leading challenge for military families across the country Corporate Canada’s strong interest to support military families METSpouse Program Objectives Establish an employer network where partnering employers are aware of the inherent employability of military spouses, Explore accommodation for the mobile military spouse workforce Empower military spouses to achieve sustainable and meaningful careers. Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

METSpouse Program Design METSpouse will mirror the existing MET program, with a few differences: Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) participation Focus on employment mobility, portability, telecommutability Initial recruitment focusing in 7 areas Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

METSpouse Program Registration Contact your servicing Military Family Resource Center (MFRC): Halifax - Holly Rye Holly.Rye@forces.gc.ca Valcartier - Geneviève Godin Genevieve.Godin@forces.gc.ca Montréal - Estelle Auger ESTELLE.AUGER@forces.gc.ca National Capital Region - Amy LeGresley cdpm@mfrc-ncr.org Toronto - Shawn Thompson Shawn.Thompson3@forces.gc.ca Winnipeg - John Bailey John.Bailey@forces.gc.ca Shilo - Christine Helgason Christine.Helgason@forces.gc.ca Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

METSpouse Program Milestones Soft Launch – February 10th, 2016 Hard Launch – April 1st, 2016 NCR MFRC Ribbon Cutting VIPs, Media, Spouses, Employer Partners Career Connect TM Job Fair Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

METSpouse Website Shared toolboxes Hot Jobs - 35 to start Service providers Videos E-Mentors And more! Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

What is Required of METSpouse Employer Partners? Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

METSpouse Employer Partners Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Employer Criteria In addition to MET Employer Partner Requirements, we ask METSpouse partners to: Provide military spouses with pay equal to their civilian counterparts with the same level of qualifications; Explore and support labour mobility opportunities, when possible, if and when a military spouse relocates; Charge no fees or costs for military spouse employment opportunities; Identify an individual within the organization to act as the primary point of contact for the METSpouse program and who will participate in new employer training; Employer Criteria Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Employer Criteria Provide METSpouse with quarterly hiring data including total hires and hires retained corporately when relocating; Ensure partnership information is communicated internally to all hiring managers and leadership (handouts); Sign a Terms of Reference document (or amendment) to demonstrate an organizational commitment to the METSpouse employer criteria. Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Why the METSpouse Program Is for You! Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

METSpouse Empowerment Start, continue, or change your career path; Enhance employment and networking opportunities; Fulfill your career dreams; Provide your family with a greater level of financial stability that keeps you strong and resilient. Empowerment Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

Check Out the METSpouse Program and Register Today! https://www.canadacompany.ca/canadacompany/met/en/ Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections