The Australian Defence Force has chosen Adecco as its recruitment partner after using ManpowerGroup Inc. for 20 years. The new contract with Adecco begins July 1, 2023, with a transition handover beginning on Nov. 1.

Adecco’s deal is worth AUD 20 million (US$12.8 million), according to The Mandarin.

“Our people are the most important capability for the defense of Australia and our national interests,” said Matt Keogh, Australia’s minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel. “It’s exciting to be working with a new recruitment partner to ensure we’re engaging with the very best people our nation has to offer.”

While overseeing the contract, ManpowerGroup has helped enlist more than 121,600 individuals into the Australian Defence force.

“I thank our current service provider, ManpowerGroup, for their valued contribution to building Defence’s recruiting capability over the last 20 years,” Keogh said.

He noted the recruitment market in Australia remains tight, and the Australian Defence Force plans to increase its employment footprint by 18,500 by sometime between 2039 to 2040.

“Our new partnership with Adecco will focus on redefining how we can modernize recruitment efforts in a hyper-competitive labor market,” Keogh said.

The contract includes a broad range of services such as marketing, recruiting operations, candidate experience, medical and psychological testing and information and communication technology services.

“This contract will be pivotal in delivering the right workforce for Defence, and we are committed to working collaboratively to achieve outcomes,” Adecco Managing Director Kevin Alexander said. “Adecco feels privileged for the opportunity to use our expertise in recruitment to ensure Defence has the capability to defend our national interests.”