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“After playing the handyman role for a few years, I heard about Vets to Ag,” said Joe Braunsdorf. “How many people get the opportunity at age 50 to start a new life?”
 On the first day of March, eleven Michigan veterans, all homeless and unemployed, completed two weeks in residence at Michigan State University (MSU) where they learned hands-on how to cut and process meat for a major Michigan employer. This on-campus training was the last leg of a innovative, 6-week Vets to Ag program that ended with a job interview for every veteran who made it through to graduation.
Michigan State University and the Veterans’ Services Division of the Michigan Workforce Development Agency teamed up with JBS, the largest meat processing company in the world, to develop a program specifically targeted to prepare vets for jobs available in their Plainwell plant.
The local Michigan Works! Agency helped find and channel veterans into the program. B3
Solutions LLC provided new clothing for
each grad. And the Wal-Mart Foundation
is underwriting the cost of food and housing for each veteran during their transition
from training to work.
Along with their meat cutting skills, the Vets to Ag graduates earned safety certifications from the Red Cross and ServSafe Food Handlers, as well as Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification – valuable skills that will improve their employability.
During the often challenging Vets to Ag training regimen, veteran Joe Braunsdorf of Saginaw blogged about his experience and what the program has meant to him. For Joe Braunsdorf’s Vets to Ag blog, click here.
For information on the Vets to Ag program, click here.
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 Meat science academic specialist Sarah Wells gives instruction to
Detroit resident Rigil Woods at the MSU Meat Laboratory.
Woods is one of eleven homeless veterans participating in the Vets to Ag program.
Photo Courtesy of Matt Hallowell, Michigan State University
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Veterans, take advantage of this opportunity to meet employers that are hiring now. Baker College of Owosso is hosting its second annual job fair on March 13 from 11am to 3pm. Special preference will be given to veterans from 10am-11am. Bring your DD214 to gain exclusive access before the general public.
See the flyer below for the full details.
To be better prepared, Military.com outlines the Top 8 Reasons You Weren't Hired (and how to fix them.) Make sure to take advantage of your veteran status and land that job by capitalizing on 3 Tips on What We Do Right.
See the "Links and Items of Interest" section below for other job fair events coming soon near you.
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 The Manistee Art Institute (MAI) will present an exhibit of works submitted by Michigan veterans and their families as a way to honor those who have served. The exhibit will run May 17 to 26 in conjunction with the Tight Lines for Troops Fishing Tournament on May 18.
The MAI encourages veterans to submit traditional and non-traditional pieces of art and memorabilia that have been inspired by their experience in the military. Two dimensional and three dimensional pieces along with shipboard and trench art, photography, poetry and prose will be accepted.
Submissions are due no later than May 8, 2013. For more information contact the MAI at 231-723-2682 or send email to manisteeartinstitute@gmail.com. The MAI will reserve the right to jury this show for suitability of content.
Visit the MAI website for complete rules and a submission form.
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Stories of Michigan's military veterans and the people dedicated to their success.
 Rosalind Rider-Page (left) and VSD employment specialist Carrie Headworth.
 I was born at Darnell Army Hospital in Ft. Hood, Texas - an Army brat by way of my father since birth. Most of my early years were spent in Texas where my parents settled and purchased a home.
I completed Army JROTC in 9th grade and it was about that time that my father was assigned to Patrick AFB FL on a special assignment. This was my introduction to Air Force life. I took part in Air Force JROTC through my 12th grade year. Shortly after graduation I returned to our home in Killeen right outside of Fort Hood.
I started my career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division (TDCJ) in 1988 as a Correctional Officer. In 1998 I revisited what I loved about the military and decided to join the Air Force Reserves. I was a single parent with two daughters stationed at Kelly AFB 433rd AES (Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron), and later at Lackland AFB, TX – the squadron’s home base when Kelly was closed. I remained at Lackland and was promoted to SSgt (E-5).
In 2011 I retired from TDCJ, sold my house and moved to Lansing, Michigan. I decided to remain assigned to Lackland and commute each month at my expense. I was offered an opportunity for promotion at Travis AFB, CA 349 AES. I transferred and within 6 months I received TSgt (E-6), still continuing at my expense.
Last year I went to Ingham County’s MI Vets office on Cedar Street in Lansing and met with Randy Marwede, who suggested I contact Michigan Veterans' Services Division employment specialist Carrie Headworth at the Capitol Area Michigan Works! Agency. Carrie reviewed my resume and helped me change the language from military to civilian. She encouraged me to recognize my skill level and what I really had to offer. She researched leads and made sure that I received information on any upcoming job fairs.
In October of 2012, Carrie notified me of an opening at the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) for a part time Lobby Control position. I didn’t mind part time, and interviewed for the job in October. With all my college and prior experience in the military, I was offered a full time position and have been employed by ICSO since February 19, 2013. The agency is very supportive of the armed services.
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 From translating military skills to civilian language to finding
employers who value a veteran’s background or navigating the countless
college options on the New GI Bill, there’s no shortage of roadblocks
for returning veterans.
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) have launched a new tool called Career Pathfinder to help vets of Iraq and Afghanistan as they transition from combat to civilian life.
Career Pathfinder features include:
- Thousands of job listings from employers looking to hire veterans.
- A resume builder specifically for veterans.
- A career mapping tool to chart a course through college or technical school.
- A military-to-civilian skills translator to explain military jobs to civilian.
- Access to IAVA’s other best-in-class education and employment resources.
Visit IAVA's Career Pathfinder to learn more.
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Profiles of the men and women of the Veterans' Services Division of the state of Michigan's Workforce Development Agency, working every day to help veterans find employment and Michigan employers acquire the talent they need to grow and thrive.
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I was born in the great state of Michigan on August 8, 1977 at Saint John’s Hospital. I lived your everyday run-of-the-mill childhood and graduated from Warren Woods Tower High School in 1995. After graduating, I bounced around from job to job but never really found my calling. After being frustrated working in a job I could not stand, I asked my father for advice about my job and future. My father, a Vietnam veteran, gave me advice that would change my world forever. At the end of the conversation, he simply shrugged his shoulders and said five simple words: “You could join the service.”
I honestly did not give his advice much thought and continued going to work. On June 27, 1996 I passed a recruitment station and decided to stop. My mind was made up. One month later I was in boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. I was officially in the United States Navy.
I served onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower as an Aviation Boatswains Mate (equipment), or ABE for those that know Navy ratings. I wanted to do something different, so when it was time to transfer to shore duty I applied for a special programs billet and received orders as a Security Specialist for Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.
Continue reading Jason's story...
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 Bill Kennings, a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program specialist (DVOP) with the Michigan Veterans' Services Division (VSD) in West Branch, will leave state service on March 28th, 2013. Bill served Michigan veterans for nearly two years with VSD and before that as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.
At an event honoring his service, Bill was presented with a letter from VSD Director General Robert Smith thanking him for his work, as well tokens of appreciation from his co-workers. Bill will be missed by his colleagues and partners in the community. DVOP Ron Ross will transfer from the Pontiac office and take over Bill's duties in West Branch.
We
at VSD send our thanks to Bill for his service to Michigan veterans and wish him a happy retirement!
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- The 6th Annual Project Connect will be held on Wednesday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Community Building at the Emmet County Fairgrounds in Petoskey. Project Connect links people in need with a range of health and human services needed to improve their lives.
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The Article One Partners Veterans Program engages veterans in a series of competitive research projects. From April 8 to May 17, 2013, US military veterans who register for the program participate in studies designed to improve patent quality and launch opportunities for veterans in the intellectual property industry. Earn money, learn about patent research, and explore career opportunities. Click here for the full details.
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Create a business plan in six weeks: Free for interested veterans, this 6-week class helps highly motivated people who have either a very strong business idea or are already in business. Provide a DD214 to prove you are a veteran and the cost is waived. Click here for the full details.
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The 4th annual Tight Lines for Troops Charity Fishing Tournament for Michigan veterans is approaching and will fill up fast. The event takes place on May 17 - 18, 2013, in Manistee, MI. Visit Tight Lines For Troops and fill out the registration form online or download the form here to mail or fax.
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for yourself? Chris Edington from VetBizCentral will be doing a presentation on “Six SIMPLE Steps to Starting a Business" on Thursday, March 28 from 10 am to 12 pm in Flint. Chris will share fundamental concepts to help you decide if you have what it takes to make your entrepreneurial dreams become reality. Seating is limited for this event. Download the program flyer here.
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