In light of Veteran’s Day, Capital Area Michigan Works! Business Services Manager Teri Sand gives an overview of the veteran support services CAMW! provides and the importance of aiding veterans in their job searches.

 

 

● The shift from military to civilian life can be challenging, as veterans may struggle to translate military skills into civilian job qualifications or find jobs they feel a meaningful connection to. ○ According to the U.S. Department of Veterans, some barriers veterans may experience when reentering the workforce include:

■ Learning how to look for, apply or interview for a civilian job, especially if they have never done so before.

■ Feelings of uncertainty around new work cultures or adjusting to the social changes that come with a new job.

■ Fear of losing a job which may make some people hesitant to engage in the employment process altogether.

● Providing them with support is crucial to their success.

○ Common support methods for veterans include offering tailored resources such as mentoring programs, wellness resources and job-readiness training to help them successfully navigate this transition (Wounded Warrior Nation).

 

 

● It is important to support veterans in obtaining employment not only because of the sacrifices they have made for our country but also because they bring valuable experience and skills that, though developed in a military setting, equip them for success in the workforce. ● Veterans possess important skills like leadership, agility, collaboration and risk assessment, all strengthened through military service. ○ Having learned to overcome challenges and adapt quickly in their military roles, veterans are particularly well-suited to handle employment challenges, including learning new skills and adjusting to different work environments. ○ Safe military operations often rely on working as a team. Veterans value teamwork and having a sense of purpose making them well-suited to support their fellow team members. ○ Veterans come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, offering unique perspectives that can enhance decision-making and problem-solving in the workplace. ● Veterans are committed to high standards of integrity and accountability, qualities that make them reliable and ethical employees who will positively contribute to any organization (Wounded Warrior Nation).

 

 

● One resource CAMW! offers to support veterans is access to Veterans’ Career Advisors (VCAs).

○ Located within Michigan Works! American Job Centers, VCAs provide intensive, individualized support to veterans and their spouses, including comprehensive assessment interviews, career guidance services and individual employment plans.

■ These services help job-seeking veterans increase resume marketability, improve interview skills and effectively utilize social networking.

 ■ Outside of the job search, VCAs can also support with housing assistance, transportation assistance and connecting veterans to educational and training opportunities.

● CAMW! also connects veterans with Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs) to assist with employer outreach.

○ LVERs advocate for the employment of veterans to business, industry and other community-based organizations by planning and participating in job and career fairs, conducting employer outreach and conducting job searches and workshops in conjunction with employers.

● Furthermore, CAMW! partners with INVESTVets to improve employment outcomes for veterans by addressing and eliminating cultural barriers in the job-seeking process.

● Veterans are also given priority in MITalent job postings, with new job openings made available exclusively to veterans for the first 24 hours. ○ When employers post a job opening on the MITalent site, they can check a box indicating their interest in hiring veterans.

 

 

● INVESTVets focuses on bridging the military-civilian cultural gap, which as we’ve discussed, is one of the most significant barriers to veterans’ employment.

● One of the key features of INVESTVets is its network of over 500 employers throughout Michigan who are committed to hiring veterans.

● The organization provides a range of activities designed to reduce the stress and high expectations typically associated with traditional job fairs.

 ● INVESTVets also hosts weekly virtual networking events every Thursday at 2 p.m. and participants can register on their website, investvets.org. ○ These events feature a variety of employers from in-demand industries, offering veterans opportunities to connect with potential employers in a more relaxed, supportive environment. ○ This approach helps veterans build confidence and navigate the civilian job market more effectively.

 

 

 ● To learn more about the services CAMW! offers, veterans can visit our website at camw.org. Under the “Career Seekers” tab, there is a dedicated page titled “Veteran Employment Services.” ● Veterans are also welcome to call CAMW! at 517-492-5536 or visit the Lansing American Job Center in person to connect with our staff and receive support. ● For more information about INVESTVets, you can visit their website at investvets.org.