October 28th, 2013
Remembrance Day survey examines challenges facing vets after military service
St. John’s, NFLD. 5 November 2013. An annual Nanos national survey released today by Commissionaires demonstrates overwhelming public support for veterans as they make the transition from military life to a civilian career.
For the second consecutive year, 94 per cent of those surveyed continue to believe that Canadians have an obligation to ensure our veterans find meaningful employment after they’ve finished their service in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Canadians clearly feel strongly that vets deserve our support, during and after their military service,” noted Bill Sutherland, National Board Chair, Commissionaires. “We’ve been hiring vets since 1925, so we know just how highly skilled and talented they are.”
The survey also indicates that 72 per cent of Canadians believe that in the last five years, veterans have faced difficulties making the transition to civilian jobs. In fact, 54 per cent of respondents believe it is more difficult for today’s veterans to find civilian jobs than it was for veterans of the first and second world wars. As well, nearly 70 per cent of respondents believe that the skills of today’s veterans are relevant and transferable.
Atlantic Canadians feel even more strongly than the national average about the challenges vets face finding jobs after leaving the military. More than 77 per cent of respondents in Atlantic Canada, compared to only 72 per cent nationally, believe veterans have difficulty finding jobs after leaving the military. As well, nearly 66 per cent of Atlantic Canadian respondents believe veterans in the last five years have had a tougher time finding jobs than veterans of the first and second world wars, compared to the national average of only 54 per cent.
Finally, the national survey revealed that 81 per cent of Canadians think first of veterans of the first and second world wars on Remembrance Day, rather than veterans of more recent conflicts.
“It’s probably as tough to find a job here in Newfoundland and Labrador as it is anywhere in the country. This survey tells us that veterans deserve our support as they make that transition from the military to civilian life,” commented Jim Lynch, CEO, Commissionaires Newfoundland and Labrador.
Since 1925, Commissionaires has been providing meaningful employment for veterans as they make the transition from the Canadian Armed Forces to civilian life. With 16 divisions and more than 20,000 men and women employed across the country, Commissionaires is a leading national provider of security services, and one of the largest employers of veterans in Canada.
The Nanos survey was conducted between August 18th and 22nd with a sample size of 1,000 Canadians. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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About Commissionaires
Commissionaires is one of Canada’s leading security providers and the largest private sector employer of veterans. Founded on the core military values of dedication, responsibility and sense of mission, it employs 20,000 people from coast to coast to coast. It offers a wide range of security services including professional guarding, monitoring and surveillance, threat risk assessment, bylaw enforcement, identification and fingerprinting, and security training. The completely self-funding, not-for-profit enterprise generated $500M in annual revenue in 2010, of which approximately 95% was returned to its employees. Its clients include an array of public and private sector organizations.
To arrange an interview, contact:
Mandy Chepeka
Communications and Marketing
Commissionaires National Office
T 613 688 0714
[email protected]