The Department of National Defence (DND) recently launched two new resources to help military spouses and common-law partners find employment both within and outside of the federal public service.

The Military Spousal Employment Network

Military Family Services (MFS), a division of Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, launched the new Military Spousal Employment Network, where military spouses can directly access employment opportunities through tools like an online job board and virtual career fairs with participating employers across Canada.

The network includes over a dozen employers across Canada which offer opportunities that may appeal to military spouses of currently serving members, including:

• Advanis
• Air Canada
• Alorica
• Bayshore Medical Personnel
• Bell
• BMO
• Calian Group Ltd.
• Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services
• Department of National Defence
• GardaWorld, LiveCA
• Military Family Resource Centres
• Sykes Assistance Services

450 spouses have registered since the network went live in October, and 100 have participated in the first virtual career and networking fair. So far, almost 130 employment opportunities have been posted, with some successful hires.

MFS manages a variety of employment and entrepreneur programs that supports the well-being of Canadian military families. These programs are also available at Military Family Resource Centres across bases and wings.

The Military Spouse Employment Initiative – Casual Inventory

The Military Spouse Casual Inventory is open exclusively to spouses of serving military members. With over 600 applicants to date, this initiative gives military spouses and partners an opportunity to attain meaningful casual employment at DND, and hiring managers a valuable pool of candidates.

Benefits of the Casual Inventory for:

Military spouses

By providing military spouses with employment security and consistency, this inventory can positively impact the morale and financial well-being of many military families. It also provides opportunities for military spouses to strengthen their own professional skillsets, and utilize them to benefit DND.

Hiring managers

The military spouse population consists of diverse, motivated, educated, and other various skilled people situated across Canada. By using the inventory, hiring managers will:

• increase employee loyalty, job satisfaction, and productivity;
• expand DND’s reputation and attractiveness for future military spouses and generation of employees; and
• facilitate the ability to hire experienced casual workers to benefit their organization.

For more information visit the Military Spouse Employment Initiative (internal link) and the Military Spousal Employment Network websites.