Veterans' Employment Services Newsletter
 IN THIS ISSUE:
Welcome to the Veterans’ Employment Services (VES) Newsletter. Our mission is to assist you and your family secure meaningful careers in Michigan.
The concept of veterans helping veterans is a trademark of the VES team and one of the keys to its success. Veterans face many challenges when transitioning out of the military – finding meaningful employment should not be one of them.
- Veterans in need of employment assistance should contact the nearest Michigan Works! One-Stop Service Center by calling 800-285-WORKS (9675) or visiting MichiganWorks.org.
- More information about Veterans’ Employment Services is available at Michigan.gov/VES.
- Register today and start your job search at Pure Michigan Talent Connect at MiTalent.org.
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Today’s veterans have in-demand skills such as leadership, punctuality, time management, team focus, and being mission-oriented, just to name a few. Here’s how you can take steps to find your new career!
Career Exploration
Choosing a career can be a challenging task. Discover the "hot jobs" in your area as well as explore the right career path based upon your education, experience, personality, and goals by using the following tools:
- Pathfinder is a free online tool for finding educational paths and careers for Michigan residents. Create a pathway at Pathfinder.mitalent.org.
- My Next Move for Veterans helps you find a civilian career similar to your military job at MyNextMove.org.
- Review Michigan Hot 50 careers Milmi.org.
Get in
Looking for a new opportunity can be exciting, scary and nerve-racking. No matter what career stage you’re in, be sure to check out the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center to take advantage of vocational counseling, education and training programs, and job-seeking assistance.
Let them know you served in the military to receive Priority of Service and determine whether you are eligible for intensive employment services. For more information, go to michiganworks.org or call 800-285-WORKS (9675).
Education & Training
Based on eligibility, your local Michigan Works! One-Stop Service Center may be able to help you find funding for On-the-Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, or traditional college programs. Employers supervise and train employees in an OJT program, helping workers update their skills for in-demand occupations. Many occupations require certifications or degrees.
Registered Apprenticeship
Today’s apprenticeships combine classroom studies with extensive OJT training under the supervision of journey-level craftsperson or a trade professional. For additional information, ask to speak with a Michigan Works! Apprenticeship Success Coordinator or visit Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.
Get Out There
Michigan employers are looking to hire veterans. Take your new skills and confidence with you to compete in the global economy. Check out the list of job fairs below and meet your future employer!
Recent research has revealed that less than 50% of people are satisfied with their current professional lives. If you are part of that 50%, you can take steps now to change your future.
Join us for the next Employment Readiness Series on January 4, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Veteran Career Advisor Shane Scherer will lead a presentation about networking and managing your social media profiles!
Register for the event here.
The Michigan Veterans' Employment Services and the Michigan National Guard Family Programs teams have partnered to ignite the potential of our stakeholders through weekly tips and monthly presentations.
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Watch this video for tips such as avoiding jargon during the resume writing and interview process from our very own Veterans' Career Advisor, Brian Strong.
And follow us on Facebook for other weekly tips!
Saying Farewell to One of Our Own
Steve McLane – Veterans' Career Advisor, Alma
It's with a sense of sadness and joy that we say goodbye to Steven McLane. His 20+ years of state service and commitment to veterans has been an inspiration to many. We're sad to lose you, but happy to see you continue to serve job seekers in South Carolina.
Safe travels Steve!
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On November 30, President Biden signed into law a bill that invests $15 million to improve maternity care for female veterans.
The new law orders the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve its coordination with the community care facilities that provide maternity care to veterans, as well as offer childbirth preparation and parenting classes, nutrition counseling, lactation classes, breastfeeding support and breast pumps.
In addition, the law orders the Government Accountability Office to study maternal mortality among veterans, as well as negative health outcomes for women caused by labor and delivery. The study will focus on racial and ethnic disparities. Read more here.
We were honored to attend the Hire MI Vet career fair last month and connect with veteran job seekers in person.
Veterans Employment Representative Jim Grose, pictured right, spoke with numerous attendees about how veteran job seekers can receive Priority of Service.
If you're looking for a job, find out how you can also receive Priority of Service and other job seeking assistance at Michigan.gov/VES.
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Justin is a former Marine receiving assistance from Veteran Career Advisor Durand Dean, and is currently going through a rough divorce, custody battles and parenting time issues. On top of those troubles, Justin had to move back in with his parents, his car was repossessed, and he has been unemployed for about six months due to transportation issues.
With Durand's help, Justin was gifted a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer from Cars 4 Vets.
Cars 4 Vets is a Michigan-based domestic non-profit that donates vehicles to veterans in need to help them on their journey to find sustainable, gainful employment and a better quality of life. The organization was founded by Mark Rebeaud, who served 24 years in the military, and started Cars 4 Vets after he retired and found a high demand for vets requiring transportation in his local and surrounding areas.
The Blazer received body work repairs, new fuel and brake lines, and customized vinyl decals to symbolize Justin’s military service. This donation was the thirteenth car gifted by Mark and his organization.
Mark receives vehicle donations from various sources then does the maintenance and body work himself to ensure that veterans receive a safe and reliable car. The donation to vets is free and all that is required is a veteran in need, a valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance. The veteran is responsible for any fees accrued during vehicle registration with the Secretary of State.
Mark Rebeaud's vision is to build and donate dependable, reliable vehicles to local veterans in need. Connect with Cars 4Vets on Facebook!
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Having trouble finding the perfect gift for the veterans in your life? Did you know you can buy MRE toilet paper! The world’s absolute crappiest toilet paper!
That’s right, you can buy a bulk order of the single packs of TP found in Meals Ready-to-Eat, with the added benefit that you don’t have to eat an MRE to get it 😊.
Read the full article at Task & Purpose.
An up-to-date list of upcoming job and career events is available on Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s Career Events Calendar.
Patient Attendant Virtual Hiring Event
December 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Event Link: Register using this link
Full-time and part-time positions on evening and night shifts at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. If you're looking to put your background in patient care to work, register to speak with a recruiter. Position pays up to $18.50 per hour.
Inpatient Unit Clerk Virtual Hiring Event
December 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Event Link: Register using this link
Register to speak with a staffing specialist about full-time positions at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan's hospital. There are openings on all shifts, paying up to $17 per hour.
Virtual Job Fairs Count as Work Search Activity in Michigan
Registering for and attending Virtual Job Fair events supported by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity count as official work search activities required by the Unemployment Insurance Agency. Check out upcoming Virtual Job Fairs by visiting Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s Career Events website.
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Be Prepared: Charge your phone and practice your elevator pitch.
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Keep an Open Mind: You never know which company has the perfect job for you.
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Work the Room: Stop by every booth and share your QR code with every organization.
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Rule of 3: Get at least three company follow-ups.
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Apply as You Network: Apply to open positions while you network with recruiters.
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Smile: Be confident. You've got this!
MORE VETERANS' RESOURCES
If you are a veteran looking for information concerning education, health care, benefits or quality of life programs, please visit the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for more information, or call the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center at 800-MICH-VET.
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Veterans' Employment Services is part of Workforce Development, within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's Office of Employment and Training. Michigan.gov/VES |
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