Ottawa

Joe Blanchard is a results-oriented Senior Executive. He runs VeCATS to assist Soldiers and Veterans transition into Corporate Canada with the right skills to be successful. VeCATS provides a 4 Step Process for veterans 1. Soft-Skills, 2. Hard Skills, 3. Internship, 4. Job Placement. And his primary focus today is to help Veterans move into the entrepreneurial sector successfully. Joe is a former veteran and has travelled the military, corporate and entrepreneurial roads. A proven performer Joe moves easily from vision and strategy to implementation and follows through. He is an innovative and strategic thinker, with sound business judgement and proven analytical, troubleshooting, and critical thinking abilities.

Joe Blanchard’s work with VeCATS embodies a Renewed Vision: Advancing Veteran Empowerment Across Canada. This commitment involves an unwavering dedication to advocacy, which has led to meaningful engagement with both federal and provincial governments. VeCATS is actively shaping a future where post-service life is filled with opportunity, dignity, and recognition, ensuring a successful holistic transition for Canadian soldiers, veterans, and their families. This organization stands out by offering personalized services specifically designed to meet the complex needs of the transition to civilian life. The fundamental 4 Step Transition framework—which includes Soft-Skills, Hard-Skills, Training, and Job Experience—has recently seen its core principles successfully integrated into national Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) initiatives.

Beyond individualized coaching and training, VeCATS is heavily involved in high-level policy advocacy. A key legislative initiative is the push for a Tax-Free Services Program on military installations, designed to mirror successful models adopted by international allies, thereby providing economic advantages to ease the shift into civilian life for CAF and RCMP members. Furthermore, VeCATS is driving the proposed Canadian Veterans Procurement Act, which mandates a robust 10% of all procurement contracts issued by Veterans Affairs Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces be awarded to verified Veteran-Owned Businesses. This specific measure is critical for ensuring economic inclusion and recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit within the veteran community through first-right-of-refusal mechanisms.

Joe’s strategic direction also focuses on the development of a comprehensive National Veterans Strategy centered on four transformative pillars. The first pillar is the Indigenous Veterans PTSD Wellness Program, a culturally rooted healing initiative that incorporates Indigenous wisdom and trauma recovery methods to support both men and women veterans in their mental health journey. The second pillar involves establishing the Canadian Military University, a dedicated institution offering accredited education, certifications, and skills training in vital areas such as technology, management, governance, and entrepreneurship. This university will ready veterans for a successful career post-service. The third pillar addresses infrastructure through the National Veterans Housing Initiative, an ambitious plan to build dignified low-income housing on strategically located Crown Lands near critical amenities for veterans and their families.

Finally, the Veterans Entrepreneurship Hub (Vet-Hub) serves as a national platform designed to meticulously guide veterans through every stage of startup development, from initial launch and critical mentorship to sustainable business growth, succession planning, and successful exits. The VeCATS team provides continuous Personal Coaching and structured Corporate Training & Development. These essential programs adapt effectively, enhance employee skills, and include specialized courses such as Financial Acumen for Managers (understanding P&L), Strategic Planning & Execution, and Leadership Development, which are vital for integrating into middle management and achieving long-term success in corporate life after service.

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