Combat to Community Transitioning from Military Service to the Civilian Workforce Combat to Corporate: The Benefits of Hiring Veterans INSTITUTE FOR VETERAN POLICY swords to plowshares.org combattocommunity.org Importance of the Course WHAT AM I GOING TO LEARN? Cultural Competency: Learn about commonly shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that often (but not always) characterize service in the military. Veteran Jobs: Identify potential recruitment and retention strategies for supporting veterans in the workplace as well as resources to refer veterans to supportive services. Statewide Collaboration Plan: Statewide employment initiative which connects corporate hiring professionals, veteran service organizations, universities/community colleges and community based organizations. How to become Veteran Friendly. An Overview of Services Housing: Permanent Supportive & Transitional Employment & Job Training Institute for Veteran Policy Health & Social Services Women Veterans Program Legal Services for Disabled Veterans 1
An Overview of Services Permanent & Supportive Housing Employment & Training Health & Social Services Transitional Housing Institute for Veteran Policy Legal Services Common Types of Military Service Active Duty (AD) Full time active service in the U.S. military (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard). This includes members of the Reserve components serving on active duty but does not necessarily include all National Guard serving full time. Drilling Reserve Part time military service usually consisting of one weekend a month plus two weeks a year. Includes the Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Forces Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard and Air National Guard. When reserve forces are mobilized for full time active duty service they serve on active duty until demobilized, at which point they revert back to drilling reserve status. National Guard A reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, the NationalGuardisastatemilitiathatanswersfirstto the governor but can be put into federal service by order of the president. When activated for full time federal service Guard members are considered active duty but are not included in total strength numbers of the active duty Army/Air Force. If not on active duty status their service obligation is one weekend a month and two weeks a year and may be called up for full time service such as in the case of natural disaster relief efforts. However, the state call up is not considered active duty service. Activated Guard and Reserve (AGR) National Guard and Reserve members who have been moved from their reserve status (mobilized) into active duty, usually for a set period of time (six months, one year, etc.). Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans How many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are there? Over 2.6 million men and women have been deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and over 56% of these veterans are currently separated from the military. How old are the most recently separated veterans? About 40% of recently separated veterans are under the age of 25. How many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are unemployed? In 2013, Post 9/11 veterans have higher rates of unemployment (9%) compared to all veterans (6.6%) and civilians (7%). 2
California Veterans How many veterans live in California? What about Guard and Reserves? California is home to 1.8 million veterans, more than any state, and anticipates receiving 35,000 40,000 new veterans every year for the next several years; more than any other state. The California National Guard is the nation s largest and most frequently deployed force in the country with 40,000 deployed since September 11, 2001. How many California veterans are unemployed? California veterans have high rates of unemployment compared to other states and compared to the civilian population, particularly Post 9/11 veterans (10.6%) and National Guard and Reserves (5 10% higher than the state average). Women Veterans How does military service impact women? Women veterans represent 10% of the total veteran population. Thirty percent of women veterans have served Post 9/11. Over 280,000 women have served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Until recently, women did not serve in official combat arms jobs, but that does not mean they didn t participate in combat. Identifying a Veteran 3
Identifying a Veteran Myths and Stereotypes What are some stereotypes about the veteran population? All veterans served in the infantry. All veterans are in crisis. All veterans have served in combat. Women do not serve in combat. All combat veterans have post traumatic stress (PTS). Veterans are rigid. Veterans with disabilities are unemployable. The Elephant in the Room POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS 26% of veterans have PTSD or another mental health disorder.* 26% of U.S. citizens have a diagnosable mental health condition each year.* Mental health issues are not as prevalent among veterans as many assume. Mental health issues are not unique to the veteran population. Dealing with mental health and disability is a daily function of doing business. *Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve month DSM IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun;62(6):617 27. 4
The Business Case for Hiring a Veteran BEYOND THE CLICHÉS* Value of a Veteran Skills Transfer Across Contexts/Task Advanced Technical Training Adept in Discontinuous Environments Resiliency Systematic Planning and Organization Ability to Work Under Pressure and Meet Deadlines Client Customer Service Skills Team Building/Leadership/Membership Organizational Commitment Cross Cultural Experiences Experience/Skill in Diverse Work Settings Entrepreneurial Self Direction Commitment to Excellence * Guide to Leading Policies, Practices & Resources: Supporting the Employment of Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University. http://vets.syr.edu.employment/resources; and Findings from the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies Veteran Engagement Summit, Swords to Plowshares. http://www.swords to plowshares.org/advocacy and policy/research publications/. Military Education SERVICE MEMBERS RECEIVE STATE OF THE ART TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL TRAINING Boot Camp Basic Training: All enlistees learn weapons marksmanship, hand to hand combat, physical fitness, first aid and survival techniques. Selection of specialty Specific individualized training is different for each career path which can last anywhere from two months to two years which focuses on the skills and day to day operations that lays the foundation for understanding the military structure and the interlacing roles and responsibilities. Continuing education in professional career fields In addition to continuous on the job training each career field has intense professional development and leadership training that occurs periodically and with promotions. GI Bill: Types of Training THE FOLLOWING ASSISTANCE IS APPROVED UNDER THE POST 9/11 GI BILL Correspondence training Entrepreneurship training Flight training Independent and distance learning Institutions of higher learning undergraduate and graduate degrees Licensing and certification reimbursement Vocational/technical training, non college degree programs National testing reimbursement On the job training Tuition assistance top up Tutorial assistance Vocational/technical training 5
The Bottom Line Hiring veterans is good for business Corporate Initiative GOT YOUR SIX is a campaign to bridge the civilian military divide by creating a new conversation in America, so that veterans and military families are perceived as leaders and civic assets. Skill Translation A cryptology linguist is primarily responsible for identifying foreign communications using signals equipment. Their role is crucial as the nation s defense depends largely on information that comes from foreign languages. Multimedia illustrators are primarily responsible for operating multimedia imaging equipment in order to produce visual displays and documents. They produce graphic artwork that is used in Army publications, signs, charts, posters, television and motion picture productions. Naval Air Crewmen Avionics (AWV) are members of a fixed wing integrated tactical aircrew aboard maritime patrol and reconnaissance and command and control aircraft. Personnel are knowledgeable of all avionics systems, safety equipment, emergency procedures, and aircraft equipment. Multimedia Illustrator = Graphic Designer Cryptology Linguist = Marketing Communications, Security Intelligence & Analysis Air Crewmen Avionics = Computer/ Electronics/ Telecomm Install/Maintain/Repair, Electrical Design Drafter 6
Service-Connected Veterans Strongly encouraged to apply VETERAN PRIORITY HIRING Although the ADA prohibits discrimination, On the basis of disability, it does not preclude affirmative action on the behalf of individuals with disabilities. An employer may but is not required to hire a qualified veteran with a disability over other qualified applicants with disabilities. HIRING DISABLED VETERANS An employer may ask an applicant if they are a disabled veteran if they are seeking to hire someone with a disability. Employers may also ask a veteran service employment agency to recruit a qualified veteran who has a disability. Becoming Veteran Friendly IMPORTANT STEPS TO HIRE VETERANS Become culturally competent. Create educational programs for employees to learn about veteran culture and resources. Make plans for veteran recruitment and outreach beyond the scope of normal activities. Examples: Attend veteran job fairs. Partner with on base transition centers. Create relationships with service academies. Create relationships with community colleges. Utilize social networks. Create a veteran career webpage with desirable skills. Establish a partnership with veteran service providers in your area. Veteran service providers can provide tailored job training, connect qualified veterans to employers as a job broker. VETERAN JOB ADVERTISEMENT Veteran Affinity Groups 7
Veteran Affinity Groups Profile of a Veteran Friendly Company Linking up with Community-Based Organizations SERVICES Direct Placement Job Broker Employer provides the veteran service agency the job announcement, which is then recruited through the agency s employment collaborative. Training/On the Job Training Community college/university partnership veteran cohort training and certification programs. Corporate CBO partnerships development of mutual training and recruitment strategies. Administration of Department of Labor, VA and state grants. 8
Veteran System of Care SYSTEM OF CARE can ensure that candidates can focus on civilian career through provision of wraparound services during and after training and placement. Housing stabilization and retention through supportive services for veterans and their families grants. Materials, transportation and other needs. Cutting through the red tape of military and veteran benefits. Veterans Affairs healthcare. Saves you time, money and resources. Create a Game Plan Translate knowledge learned today into a plan to become veteran friendly. Reach out to veteran service organizations in your area to learn how to create veteran hiring programs. Create a relationship with the Employment & Training Department at Swords to Plowshares. Checklist Why Partner with Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs)? Review brochures, recruitment materials, and website for veteran friendliness. Use Military Occupational Skills (MOS) Translator for job skills. In Job Advertisements Military Occupational Skills. Service connected veteran preference for hiring. Advertise to veteran and military groups (both online and off). In the Interview Ask open ended questions about military experience. Be aware of other professional skills gained through military experience. On the Job Does your organization have a military/veteran affinity group or mentorship program? Is your human resources department familiar with military/veteran disabilities? Have employees at your organization taken any courses on military/veteran cultural competency? Begin on the job training and job coaching. 9
What Questions Do You Have? Thank You for Your Attendance Copyright 2014 by Swords to Plowshares All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Swords to Plowshares Institute for Veteran Policy 1060 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94103 Geoff Millard Policy Associate gmillard@stp-sf.org (415) 558-8870, ext. 248 Kevin Miller Strategic Partnership Associate kmiller@stp-sf.org (559) 681-3879 The Employment Development Department Veterans Program Outreach Orientation 10
Agenda Veterans Program Who is Eligible Types of Services Offered Veterans Intensive Program Supportive Services Getting Started Summary EDD s Veteran s Program The mission of the Veterans Program is to provide proactive, responsive, and customer focused services to the state s transitioning service members and veterans. EDD partners with federal, state and local agencies to provide resources and services to assist veterans with overcoming barriers to employment and support them in finding desirable jobs and careers. VSM 9/2011 DE8714T (6/13) Who is Eligible Veterans who served on active duty in the US Armed Forces (not Reserve or National Guard Training) more than 180 days. Special Disabled Veteran (rated 30% or more). Disabled Veteran entitled to disability compensation. Other Covered Veterans who served on active duty during a war campaign. Other Veterans not reflected by any of the above categories. Veteran Spouses (that meet requirements). VSM Ch.pt 2-9/2011 11
Services Offered Self-Service o Individuals are job ready and require little or no direct assistance from Veteran Representatives. Group Services o Individuals are essentially job ready and require low to moderate assistance from Veteran Representatives. One-on-One Services o An in-depth assessment is conducted by the Veteran Representative to determine if Intensive Services are needed. CalJOBS DE8714T(6/13) Veterans Intensive Services (VIP) Comprehensive assessment of education, skills, and abilities. In-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and appropriate employment goals. Group and individual career coaching. Short-term pre-vocational services that may include development of learning and communication skills, interviewing skills, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct to prepare individuals for career goals. DE8714T (6/13) Referrals to Supportive Services Veteran Representatives may refer you to additional supportive services based on need. Supportive Services include: o Unemployment Insurance Benefits o Housing Assistance o Veteran Benefits Services o Vocational Training o And More! 12
Veteran Network (Vet Net) Career Planning Résumé Writing Interview Preparation Job Leads Guest Speakers Networking with Other Veterans Getting Started Register in CalJOBS SM Schedule an appointment with a Veteran Representative or you may drop-in during business hours Bring your Authorization to Work documents to your appointment Authorization to Work Documents Examples of documents required to receive Veteran Services. List A List B and C OR 13
www.caljobs.ca.gov A website for both job seekers and employers. Receive assistance with résumé writing. Post multiple résumés. Search for job openings. Send résumés to employers. And more! Summary Veterans Program Eligibility Service Types (3) Veteran Intensive Program (VIP) Getting Started Any Questions? 14
Veteran Team Jane Davis (Army) (510) 259-3528 jane.davis@edd.ca.gov Office Hours 8:30 5pm Mon-Fri Felicia Tisdale (Air Force) (510) 259-3508 felicia.tisdale@edd.ca.gov Employment Development Department America s Job Center of California 24100 Amador Street, 3rd Floor Hayward, CA 94544 15