State agencies team up with veteran-friendly employers
The
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, in cooperation with the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation, the Consortium of Michigan Veteran Educators and several
certified Michigan Veteran-Friendly Employers recently attended the Service
Academy Career Conference in Washington, D.C. This unique partnership
between state agencies and private sector employers showcased Michigan’s
education, employment and cultural opportunities to talented service academy
graduates and their families, allowing them to discover all Michigan has to
offer and encourage them to make the Great Lakes State their civilian home.
“With
their experience and training, veterans are ready to offer Michigan employers a
wide range of business, technical and leadership skills. These returning heroes
bring relevant work experience and transferrable skills to the job –
qualities Michigan employers can tap to benefit their businesses and help grow
Michigan’s economy,” said MEDC Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood. “We’re
pleased to partner with top Michigan companies and other state agencies to
attract these skilled, highly qualified transitioning service members to
Michigan.”
 There were more than 800 service academy graduates in attendance—the majority
of whom are engineering and science majors seeking their first career out of
the military. MVAA and MEDC were joined by Veteran-Friendly
Employers Whirlpool, Prestige Engineering, Consumers Energy and the
Michigan Department of Transportation to discuss career opportunities in
management, finance and procurement, engineering and manufacturing. Kellogg Company and General Motors also attended the SACC in hopes of drawing
these soon-to-be veterans and their families to Michigan. These six employers
were seeking candidates for more than 700 different highly-skilled degreed job
opportunities in Michigan with salary ranges averaging from $60,000 to more than $100,000. Employers conducted more than 100 on-site interviews and gathered
more than 250 resumes.
 Companies normally in competition for the same
talent worked side-by-side to showcase all that Michigan has to offer with one
shared goal—to recruit these highly-skilled veterans into Michigan’s workforce.
The team received excellent feedback from the graduates in attendance, as well
as other employers and colleges/universities attending the event about how
Michigan’s work as a collaborative team was impressive and showed true passion
not only for the state, but for supporting veterans. Members of this “Why
Michigan?” team will track hiring progress 30, 60, and 90 days out from the
event.
Administered and supported by the Alumni Associations and
Association of Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy,
the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy, the Service Academy Career Conference is the only job fair
exclusively for service academy alumni.
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency serves as
the central coordinating point for Michigan veterans, connecting those who have
served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families, to services and benefits
throughout the state. Learn more at MichiganVeterans.com or call 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838).
Pure Michigan is a
brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across
Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for
business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s
economy.
For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit
MichiganBusiness.org. For Michigan travel news,
updates and information, visit michigan.org. Michigan residents
interested in seeking employment with any of Michigan’s growing companies
should check mitalent.org, where more than 101,000 jobs are currently
available in a variety of industries.
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