When Mark Walden joined the military as a teenager, a future career in banking seemed unlikely.

In 1992, he was a “spanking new” 23-year-old platoon commander, leading men in Bosnia. He continued to rocket through the ranks.

But years later he chose to pursue a civilian career, one of the hardest pursuits of his life. “How do you relate that world, what your responsibilities would have been, in a way that a banker or consultant understands?” he asks.

Today, a partnership between the Canadian Forces and white collar businesses hopes to answer that question.

Canada Company, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping men and women in uniform, is launching a website on Friday which will see businesses such as Loblaws and PricewaterhouseCoopers post jobs for members of the Canadian Forces transitioning to civilian work.

Both General Walter Natynczyk, Canadian Forces Chief of Defense Staff, and Brigadier-General Fred Bigelow, director of family support services, are expected to attend.

“What is new here is the greater partnership on a bigger scale between corporate Canada and our transitioning Canadian Forces members,” said Blake Goldring, an honorary colonel and founder of Canada Company.

“How do you ensure that these people, who have done heavy lifting for us, can they get a fair shake at opportunities in the civilian world?”

Every year, some 5,000 military members choose to leave the forces, an estimated 1,000 of them seek a career in business, according to Goldring.

Most are estranged from the civilian world, having worked in the insular military community for most of their career. Though they may have applicable business skills — leadership, determination, teamwork, to name a few — breaking into a new career is often a frustrating experience.

Goldring began thinking of the corporate partnership idea two years ago, when military commitments in Libya and Afghanistan were being wound down.

Another employment program was in the works, Helmets to Hardhats, however, it was directed at those who wished to pursue a career in the trades. Goldring saw an opportunity to help military members wanting to work in the financial marketplace.

There are approximately 40 businesses currently involved with the program, he said, adding the goal is to reach 300. Along with the job postings, the military members will also have access to people who can help them craft resumes and network.

The help is needed, said Walden, the former platoon commander, who now does business development for the Royal Bank of Canada.

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After all, he said, it was someone sympathetic to the military who originally hired him straight out of the army.

“Had it not been for him opening the door and advocating on behalf of my skills they probably would have filled the position I ended up taking with someone who is internal,” he said. “A person who is a known.”