Job hunting just got easier for young veterans
CivStart is a free, one-stop mobile companion for younger veterans looking to translate their military skills to the civilian job market.
There are currently 31,000 veterans in Australia aged 15-34. Miroma Project Factory (MPF) developed the CivStart app to support these young veterans as they navigate the transition from military to civilian employment.
In collaboration with the Defence Force Welfare Association, MPF consulted young veterans on the common challenges they face when searching for civilian jobs.
Many young veterans reported feeling overwhelmed by the transition information they received, but were unwilling to share their apprehensions. They also felt that their skills from service did not match those called for in civilian job advertisements.
Kat Robinson, CEO of MPF, says she is immensely proud of CivStart’s role in supporting young veterans to overcome these obstacles.
‘Our collaboration, innovative technology and design make CivStart a vital tool,’ says Kat. ‘We're excited about its continued positive impact and are dedicated to supporting our veterans' new career paths.’
The simple, self-serve nature of the app, with action-focused directions and guidance, supports young veterans to transition independently and at their own pace.
CivStart has four main features:
- My Skills helps young veterans identify the soft and hard skills they have developed during their service, based upon their military rank and their results from a skills questionnaire.
- Job Search takes users step-by-step through the job-seeking process, including writing a CV and cover letter, and cultivating a professional online presence.
- Tips help in networking, interviewing and creating CVs and cover letters.
- A Resources tab links transitioning veterans to further information and services available.
MPF has previously worked on other projects supporting veterans, including Soldier.ly, a smartwatch app founded by an Australian veteran to detect and manage stress, and Blesma: Military Charity for Limbless Veterans, a non-profit charity in the UK.
CivStart was funded by a Supporting Younger Veterans grant from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
CivStart can be downloaded Australia-wide for free on Apple and Google Play. The app is completely anonymous and does not collect personal data.
Kat Robinson, Gobal CEO, Miroma Project Factory