Australian-led research on employer and other Reserve support initiatives will feature at the 2011 International Conference on Employer Support for the Reserves in Ottawa, Canada later this month.
Australia’s senior Reservist, Head Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support, Major General Paul Brereton, will speak on Australia’s efforts to measure the success of its employer support initiatives and the research conducted in Australia related to employer support.
“Australia was tasked by international conferences held in 2007 and 2009 to continue to gather information to provide comparative analysis and findings of key Reserve issues that may be helpful to the development or improvement of all Reserve organisations,” said Major General Brereton.
“We were also asked to highlight common themes worthy of further cooperative discussion and are working with our colleagues overseas to prepare a substantial paper. We will present the analysis at the conference.”
Dr Paul Earnshaw, who is a Wing Commander in the Air Force Reserve, has led the research effort and will present his findings at the conference. The Australian delegation will be completed by Chair Defence Reserves Support Council, Jack Smorgon, and Director Reserve and Employer Support, Ian Flawith.
The 2011 International Conference on Employer Support for the Reserves follows successful conferences in 2007 and 2009, and will be held from 30 May to 2 June. More than 20 nations, including the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, and Canada, are expected to be represented.
“Australia is highly regarded by its international allies for the support it offers to employers of Reservists,” said Major General Brereton.
“This conference will allow us to consider and examine ways in which we can improve what we offer Australian Reservists and their employers to enhance availability. I am particularly interested in finding ways to help Reservists’ families, and to support Reservists while they re-integrate into the civilian workplace following a deployment.”
AUS DoD
