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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 September is National Workforce Development Month and Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity - Workforce Development (LEO-WD) is here to help you prepare for, and land, your next job! LEO-WD provides a variety of training opportunities, from traditional adult education programs to apprenticeships and short-term training. Explore the programs at Michigan.gov/Workforce.
Veterans' Employment Services - one of LEO-WD's programs - focuses on eliminating veterans' barriers to employment while providing them with Priority of Service - not to be confused with Veteran Preference.
It is common for veterans to use the phrase Veteran’s Priority of Service and Veteran Preference interchangeably. But, there is a difference! While each phrase is based in law, Veterans Priority of Service focuses on career readiness, and Veteran Preference grants a preference to veterans in Federal hiring.
Michigan Works! Services Centers ensure priority of service for veterans and their eligible spouses for all DOL-funded job training programs. Veterans’ and eligible spouses’ priority of service means the right of veterans and eligible spouses to take precedence in obtaining all employment and training services. Depending on the type of service, this may mean veterans and eligible spouses receive services earlier in time or instead of non-covered persons. Job Seeker services offered include:
- Their entitlement to Priority of Service;
- The full array of employment, training, and placement services; and
- Any applicable eligibility requirements for those programs and/or services to ensure eligible covered persons take precedence over eligible non-covered persons in obtaining services.
To access Veteran’s Priority of Service simply identify as a veteran or eligible spouse at any Michigan Works! Service Center, and when creating your FREE job seeker account on Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org).
Last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a $1.2 million investment in veteran suicide prevention programs, improving the health and well-being of Michigan’s more than 550,000 military veterans and their families. This represents the largest investment in veteran suicide prevention outreach since at least the year 2000 and likely the largest in Michigan history according to available data. The investment was announced on Sept. 21 following a roundtable discussion with veterans and veteran advocates attended by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) Director Zaneta Adams.
“Veteran suicide remains a persistent problem in Michigan and nationwide, and we must use every resource and tool we have to protect the lives of our former service members,” said Governor Whitmer.
Read the full story here.
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A criminal record presents challenges to re-entry into society, including barriers to securing housing, professional licenses, financial aid, public benefits, education, and employment. Research shows that successful record sealing and expungement can significantly reduce recidivism rates and increase a person’s opportunities for success.
Stop by and speak with a counselor at the October 4 event anytime from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
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Detroit Residents: Stop by the Clean Slate exhibit on the Main Floor.
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Non-Detroit Residents: Prior to attending the event, email Casey Williams at cwilliams@lakeshorelegalaid.orgm.
There will also be other resources available - including free haircuts, clothing, vaccination clinics and other giveaways! Register for the FREE event at Pistons.com/RallyPoint.
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and other veteran organizations to hold its second Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) next month – a three-day virtual event during which Michigan veterans can receive direct assistance to get the benefits they earned for their service.
Events will take place daily Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sign up to receive one-on-one personalized assistance for VA benefits, VA healthcare, crisis resources, memorial affairs, community services and peer-to-peer connection here. You'll be able to select your preferred date and time for a phone appointment.
During your scheduled appointment time, you can expect to be transferred to VA experts and community partners as we work to address and meet your needs.
More than 94% recommend these events to other veterans. And veterans who attend these events often leave enrolled in VA programs. Don't forget to register for the Michigan VEAC on the VA's website.
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U.S. Army veteran Tyson Smith had been working various part-time positions during the pandemic, but decided to pursue full-time employment to provide a more stable environment for his children.
Tyson began his job search by visiting Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! in Marquette, where he connected with Talent Specialist Kara Borghi. Kara went above and beyond in helping Tyson and got him connected with VES Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) Aaron Lindholm.
Aaron then worked with Tyson to update his resume and, with the help of Local Veterans' Employment Representative Kendal Kettle, helped prepare him for his job search by providing online job search training, practicing interview techniques and providing Aaron with moral support during his employment search.
Kendal worked with Tyson to explore local opportunities and within a short period of time, Tyson had submitted multiple applications and was invited to interview with several different companies. Kettle then advocated on Tyson’s behalf with each company he applied for, and during his interview with U.P. Abatement and Construction he was offered a job on the spot.
Tyson has been happily working full-time with U.P. Abatement and Construction since earlier this summer for a high wage.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs launched an improved Access to Care website that now offers a simplified, user-friendly experience to make it easier for veterans to make informed decisions as they plan their healthcare appointments. The changes are based on veteran feedback and VA Secretary Denis McDonough’s commitment to ensuring timely access to care.
You'll now be able to see veteran experience information for care delivered through VA facilities and will have a clearer view of average wait times, with more detailed information on available healthcare services and specialties.
“VA is listening to veterans, incorporating their feedback and reviewing access to care across the organization,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Performing the Delegable Duties of the Under Secretary for Health Steven L. Lieberman, M.D. “As a national leader in healthcare access and transparency, this change in the presentation of veteran-facing information ensures veterans receive the world-class care they have earned and deserve.”
The new Access to Care website also ensures that as VA sites transition to a new electronic health record management system, veterans will have information on timeliness for care at those facilities. Take a look at the website at AccessToCare.Va.Gov.
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Scholarships for the new Google Career Certificates are now available, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training is excited to help bring these scholarships to our state.
The Google Career Certificate program can help you get on the fast track to a competitively paid job in a high-growth field. You don’t need relevant experience or a degree to complete this flexible, online job training. Just put the skills, passion, and ambition you already have to work.
- Explore what the program has to offer at grow.google/certificates. Learn more about how the Google Career Certificates work to put you on the path to in-demand jobs.
- Learn how you can earn a Google Career Certificate for free by contacting your local Michigan Works! office at MichiganWorks.org.
Designed by Google, this self-paced, online training program can prepare you for careers in the high-growth fields of project management, user experience (UX) design, data analytics, and IT support. And with under 10 hours spent studying a week, you can be prepped for a new career in under six months. Once you graduate from the Google Career Certificate program, you can connect directly with over 150 top U.S. employers to jump-start your job search.
There are over 1.27 million job openings across Certificate fields and the demand is growing. Earn a credential and stand out to employers with a Google Career Certificate.
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An up-to-date list of upcoming job and career events is available on MiTalent.org's Career Events Calendar.
Allied Universal Security Hiring Event
Oct. 3, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Event Address: Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! - 4061 N Euclid Ave, Bay City, MI 48706
Event Details: view flyer here
Representatives from Allied Universal Security will be offering on the spot interviews for several security officer and security guard positions. Bring a copy of your resume and be prepared to complete an application.
UPS Hiring Event
Oct. 4, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Event Address: Livonia Michigan Works! - 30246 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150
Event Details: view flyer here
UPS offers excellent weekly pay, a safe work environment, up to $25,000 in tuition assistance, 401(k), and medical, dental and vision after a waiting period. Delivery drivers must have a valid driver's license and must be able to lift up to 70 pounds.
Great Lakes Bay Employment and Apprenticeship Opportunities
Oct. 6, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Event Address: Delta College - 1961 Delta Rd, University Center, MI 48710
Event Details: view flyer here
Meet with local employers offering many excellent employment and apprenticeship opportunities.
State of Michigan Virtual Career Fair
Oct. 12, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Event Details: register for the virtual event here
Learn how you can start your career in public service with the State of Michigan. Whether you have a GED, high school diploma, or degree, you can work with us in the industry you love, have an impact in your community, and enjoy quality of life with our comprehensive benefits package!
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 and in-person job fairs by visiting MiTalent.org’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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