Today’s WorkingNation-hosted Twitter chat – #MilitaryWorkforce – called on stakeholders to share ideas on how to support service members and their families as they transition from the military into civilian life.
The hourlong chat which included partners – America’s Warrior Partnership, IBM SkillsBuild, Hire Heroes USA, and Comcast Military – was a thoughtful discussion around workforce challenges and solutions.
In September 2022, the veteran unemployment rate was 2.7%, up from 2.4% the previous month and down from 3.7% the prior year. Updated figures will be released this coming Friday.
In the most recent Military Family Lifestyle Survey from Blue Star Families in collaboration with the D’aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University, a top issue continues to be under- and unemployment for spouses of active-duty service members, as well as those of veterans.
Many Twitter chat participants, including Hire Heroes USA, point out the transferability of military skills to the civilian workplace.
Dan Goldenberg of the Call of Duty Endowment notes employers and veterans need to speak the same language when it comes to interpreting skills.
There were a variety of comments about the available resources to help move from the military to civilian careers.
Conny Santiago, a mother of a U.S. Army veteran, says her son could have used greater support as he prepared to separate from the military.
IBM Impact reminds it has a program to build tech skills at no-cost.
Year Up notes its combination of training, wraparound services, and on-the-job experiences helps facilitate that transition into the civilian workplace.
America’s Warrior Partnership says access to opportunity should not be hindered because of bureaucracy and red tape.
IVMF says the outreach to military spouses should not be forgotten in the conversation about transition.
Cassidy Leventhal of Achieve Partners says underemployment is a barrier for military spouses.
Comcast Military says its hiring is open to military spouses.
Opportunity@Work reminds that employers should engage in skills-based hiring to prevent missing out on a large talent pool of veterans who don’t have college degrees.
Ross Dickman of Hire Heroes USA says the desired characteristics described by corporate partners are those of people with military-related experience.
Dickman says reaching out to your network is an important part of moving into the chapter after life in the military.
You, too, can catch up on all the ideas shared during this Twitter Chat. Keep the discussion going by tweeting your thoughts to #MilitaryWorkforce.
