1. Military Employment Transition for Spouses Program
Kerry Wheelehan, J.D, LL.M Canada Company
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections 1

2. 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. 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

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.
Military spouses represent a variety of industries and professions
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

7. 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…” 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 for Spouses Program?
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

10. 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

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
Initial recruitment focusing in 7 areas
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

12. METSpouse Program Registration
Contact your servicing Military Family Resource Center (MFRC):
Halifax - Holly Rye
Valcartier - Geneviève Godin
Montréal - Estelle Auger
National Capital Region - Amy LeGresley
Toronto - Shawn Thompson
Winnipeg - John Bailey
Shilo - Christine Helgason
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections

13. 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

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

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

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

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. Check Out the METSpouse Program and
Register Today!
Empowering Military Spouses - Creating Employer Connections