Ex-service men and women have cross over skills to enhance the hire industry
A United Rentals’ program supporting ex-service men and women to transition into mainstream work after leaving the Defence Force is helping to meet the industry’s ongoing skills shortage.
Veterans United, which supports current and former service members and their partners, aims to maximise the specialist skills former Defence Force members bring to the hire industry.
“In a lot of cases, these people don't fully realise the transferable skills they have and how they can be used outside the Defence Force,” says Fiona van Duuren, United Rentals HR Manager.
Key skills ex-service people bring include everything from teamwork, organizational capability, and leadership abilities, through to problem solving, critical thinking and risk management expertise.
“They have an incredible depth of knowledge and lived experience that transfers strongly into the United Rentals’ work environment. The Veterans United program hones and enhances these skills which in turn helps to meet the ongoing skills shortage the industry is facing.”
Harnessing the ANZAC spirit
Van Duuren says with Anzac Day 2025 marking the 110th anniversary of the April 25th landings at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, it is an especially significant time to remember all Australian and New Zealand soldiers.
“These people have served their country and in the ANZAC spirit we feel very proud to be supporting them in the next stage of their careers.”
As part of Veterans United, United Rentals is developing specific policies and initiatives to help existing and future ex-service people.
“The policies we are working to develop are intended to support everybody, regardless of their background. However, we can do even more to support and grow opportunities for return servicemen and women at United Rentals.”
Key to this support is providing educational opportunities and professional qualifications to complement their skill sets.
“It's about looking at the skills gaps,” says van Duuren. “If they have the experience but not the formal qualification then we will work to support them to get their ticket or qualification.”
Veterans in action
United Rentals’ Customer Care Manager, Tenielle Maskell, was an electronics technician in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) before joining the company in 2016.
For Maskell, the skills she learned in the ADF combined with a double Diploma in Business and Leadership Management, which she completed as part of United Rentals’ Employee Benefits Programme, set her up for her current leadership position.
“The Defence Force instils a belief in yourself, builds your confidence, and teaches you how to work as a team which has played a key role in developing my leadership skills. But studying extended my knowledge and expertise to enable me to advance within the company,” she says.
Supporting employees, fostering diversity
Veterans United is one of three Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that support employees and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace. As well as Veterans United, the employee-led ERGs also include Women United and LGBTQIA+ United.
“ERGs provide support in personal or career development and create a space where employees can be themselves, connect with team members who have shared backgrounds and interests, and provide a forum for conversation, networking and learning,” says van Duuren.
A key programme aligned with Veterans United is United Rentals Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) which provides everything from counselling and financial assistance, through to practical advice about schools and community services.
“We’re fortunate in Australia and New Zealand that we haven't been involved in a lot of wars. However, our service people provide significant diplomatic support during times of crisis and responding to major natural disasters.
“So, while EFAP is available to all employees, it is important for ex-service men and women as a support mechanism because we don't know what trauma they may have experienced during their Defence Force career.
“That’s where our ‘buddy support’ and program’s such as EFAP play an incredibly important role in supporting them.”
