1. Military Family Services Military Partner Showcase
Kerry Wheelehan, J.D, LL.M, Esq. Director, METSpouse Program - Canada Company
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections 1

2. Our Mission
The Military Employment Transition Spouse (METSpouse ) Program is 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

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

4. 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

5. Ages of CAF Military Spouses
Military Spouses in Canada are:
Diverse
Ages of CAF Military Spouses
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

6. 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.
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

7. Military Spouses in Canada are:
Motivated
Recent research found that there is an “infusion of a ‘can do’ spirit in overcoming obstacles and impediments among many non-serving partners…” 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

8. 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

9. What is the Military Employment Transition Spouse (METSpouse) Program?
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

10. Our Purpose 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

11. 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
Employment tailored to location, Employer Partner needs, and military spouse qualifications
Initial recruitment focusing in 8 areas
Brandon
Winnipeg
Toronto
Petawawa
Ottawa
Montreal
Halifax
Quebec
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

12. METSpouse Program Registration
8 servicing Military Family Resource Centres (MFRC):
Halifax - Holly Rye
Valcartier - Geneviève Godin
Montréal - Estelle Auger
National Capital Region, Ottawa – Caroline Jatmiko
Toronto - Shawn Thompson
Winnipeg - John Bailey
Shilo - Christine Helgason
Petawawa - Louise Anderson
Petawawa
Louise Anderson
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

13. METSpouse Program Events
Official Launch 1 April 2016 NCR MFRC Ottawa
VIPs, to include the CDS, Gen Jonathan Vance, and Deputy Minister VAC, Gen (Ret’d) Walt Natynczyk
80 attendees
Job Fair
Media Coverage
GMMTSpouse Webinars ; MFRC Teleconferences; Monthly EP Webinars
Hiring Campaigns
National and Regional Conferences
Halifax Atlantic Conference, May 2016
National Transition Exchange 2016, Ottawa
Pre-conference Workshops
HR and Talent Acquisition Panels
Networking Opportunities
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

14. METSpouse Program Is Growing!
>340 METSpouse Members
>100 METSpouse Employer- Education-Talent Acquisition Partners
Daily “Hot Jobs” Postings
51 Successful Hires since Apr 1st Program Launch
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

15. METSpouse Website-It’s Not Just a Job Board
Shared Toolboxes
Employer Partner Connections
Hot Jobs
Entrepreneurs
Service Providers
Education Opportunities
Videos
E-Mentors
And More!
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

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

17. METSpouse Employer Partners
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

18. METSpouse Employer Partners

19. METSpouse Employer Partner Criteria
In addition to MET Employer Partner Requirements, we ask METSpouse Employer 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

20. METSpouse Employer Partner 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

21. Why Should Your Organization Join the METSpouse Program Coalition?
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

22. Gain access to quality candidates
Attract candidates who are:
Skilled
Military spouses represent a variety of industry and professions; they are experienced and educated.
Adaptable
Military spouses are experts at adapting to change
Motivated
Research found that military spouses have a “can do” spirit
Empowerment
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

23. Support Those Who Defend Canada
Enhance reputation & impact
Be known as a Military Spouse Friendly Employer
Develop rapport with the military family community
Demonstrate corporate responsibility and patriotism
Military Spouses are the strength behind the uniform. METSpouse Employer Partners can help be the strength behind the Military Spouse.
Empowerment
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

24. Increase Promotion to Military Families
One Community, One Million Strong
METSpouse will increase access to the 1 million strong military community by increasing brand awareness as an Employer Partner and the service/goods Employer Partners provide to a community of:
144,000 Serving Members (Reg & Res)
144,000 Families of Serving Members
595,000 Former Members
350,000 Dependents of Former Members
150,000 Other Eligible Members (DND civilian employees) One Million Strong
Connect with like minded organizations
Empowerment
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

25. Taking the METSpouse Program Across Canada
Going National
Taking the METSpouse Program Across Canada
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

26. Navigating the METSpouse Program
Partnership - Ownership - Membership - Fellowship
Joint Program between METSpouse and MFRCs
Be on board to make it work in your community
Tool in your toolbox
Participation (e.g., teleconferences, webinars)
Strength in Numbers
Marketing in Military Spouse community
Outreach to the business community
Collaborative effort amongst all MFRCs
We are all in this together
Learn from each other
Empowerment
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

27. METSpouse Program Bottom Line
Finding Meaningful, Career-Enhancing Employment for
ALL Military Spouses
Empowerment
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections