Military and Veterans Partnership Team

Enabling Seamless Transitions For Canada’s Veterans

Willis College has trained hundreds of Veterans from across Canada in a wide variety of programs. Our approach to learning is to get you into the workforce as quickly as possible. The Military and Veterans Partnership Team (MVP) is the result of years of work and study with Veterans by Veterans and experts in the field of career development, employment, education, and training. They have determined the career, education, and training approach best suited to help Veterans effectively transition to civilian life. Each Veteran has unique career, education, and training needs. The Military and Veterans Partnership Team was created to address these needs and to empower our Veterans to continue to make a difference. For more information, please email

Principles

The principles that guided the establishment and continued conduct of the Military and Veterans

 Partnership Team are:

  1. Veteran Centric – the Veteran is at the centre of all decisions.
  2. Compassionate – Veterans are treated with compassion and respect.
  3. Support – Veterans are provided with the necessary support services to succeed while in the program.
  4. Partnerships – the College works with all partners to help the Veteran succeed.

The three components of the Military and Veterans Partnership Team

The first focuses on career and employment support, where we work with the Veteran student to determine the best career path for the Veteran and program of study. Secondly, the program includes transition training that consists of personal support services that Veterans might need to complete their education. These services include a Full-Time Veteran Support Coordinator available to work with Veteran students on any issues that might prevent their graduation. Lastly, we provide awareness training on the possible employment sector, the Government of Canada Veteran Benefits and Programs, and prepares veterans to enter the workforce successfully.

Willis College was chosen as the location for the pilot because it has worked with Veterans throughout its history, providing education and training programs to allow Veterans to find work following their retirement from service. This opportunity is also available to a veteran family member in Willis College’s “Learning Together” scholarship. This exciting program allows retired or retiring members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are heading back to school with Willis College to have a family member attend Willis at the same time! Given Willis College’s past experiences in helping Veterans and their families, it was decided by the project team that Willis College would be a natural choice to pilot the Military and Veterans Partnership Team.

Veteran Career Employment Support Program

Our staff will first work with the Veteran to determine a potential area of study and employment. We do this analysis based on the Veteran’s education and training background, a determination of the Veteran’s marketable skills, and an analysis of the labour market. This collaborative work will lead to a resolution of possible areas of study for the Veteran.

Supporting this work will be a determination of the Veteran’s financial options and the personal support services that are required to be in a place to assist the Veteran during the program of study.

Veteran Personal Support Program

A full suite of personal support services will be in place throughout the program of study to help ensure that the Veteran is successful. A full-time Veteran Personal Support Coordinator will be on location to provide ongoing peer support as required and to connect Veterans to personal support services they might need. The program has established partnerships with local, provincial, and federal service organizations to help Veterans as issues might arise.

Veterans in the program are encouraged to observe key dates by allowing them the time in the curriculum to commemorate them. The classroom areas are designed and organized with Veterans’ learning needs in mind and for Veterans with physical disabilities. Finally, there are Veteran members of the faculty.

Veteran Training Support Program

Campus scheduling is flexible, allowing Veteran students to meet the changes inherent when transitioning from military to civilian life. The modular curriculum allows Veteran students to take only the training needed, thereby acknowledging training completed during service. The curriculum supports additional training throughout the area of study that includes: awareness training on Government of Canada benefits and services available to Veterans; and presentations by sector employers. Nearer to the end of the curriculum, the program prepares the Veteran for the job enrollment process and the civilian workforce.

Funding

The Willis College financial staff will work with Veteran-Friendly Canadian lenders and the Veteran to help secure funding to pay for the program if needed. Find out more about student funding options.

Mission

The mission of the Military and Veterans Partnership Team (MVP) is to create a Veteran friendly career and learning environment that provides the flexibility and support that Veteran students look for and need to succeed following their service to Canada.

Vision

Our vision is to provide a flexible and supportive Veteran friendly career and learning environment that will enable Veterans to find meaningful and gainful employment following their service to Canada.

What Our Graduates Are Saying

Willis College is so flexible for students! My program allowed me to complete all my courses online. I got to choose when I wanted to attend my live lectures which was incredibly helpful around my daily life. This program made it possible for me to pursue a career as a single mom!
Taylor McElroy
Veterinary Medical Assistant Program