National Hire a Veteran Day, celebrated on July 25, encourages employers to hire from the more than 500,000 veterans in Michigan.

Veterans’ Employment Services staff are available to help employers connect with Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives to connect with veterans and align them with opportunities within those companies.

Find your Local Veterans’ Employment Representative here.

Last month, Gov. Whitmer and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) Initiative, a $10 million partnership aimed at training Michigan workers to lead the future of defense manufacturing.

The M3 Initiative will focus on training workers in critical skills for submarine construction, particularly in maritime welding and machining, through local community colleges.

For more information about the M3 Initiative and how to get involved, go to BuildSubmarines.com/Michigan.

Vet Fest is Michigan’s largest veteran engagement event of the year drawing in several thousand veterans and family members from all around the state. This year's event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fowlerville Fair Grounds and is open to all active duty, retired or military veterans and their families.

Veterans can enjoy a day of camaraderie while learning about a wide variety of veteran-specific resources. Attendees can enjoy food, bounce houses, live music, backpack and school supply giveaways, and more. All veterans in attendance are also eligible to win a wide variety of prizes valued from $300 -$1,500!

Registration and a valid military ID is required for entry. Get tickets to the free event here. 

Stop by the Veteran and Community Resource event on Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Madison Heights City Hall to learn about resources available to veterans. Attendees will have the opportunity to get a free lunch, gift cards, free gun safes, and learn more about suicide prevention, VA connectivity, and get connected to mental health resources. 

Questions? Contact Oakland Community Health Network Veterans Navigator Chaka McDonald at 248-764-4443 or mcdonaldc@oaklandchn.org.

Register for the event here.

This National Hire a Veteran Day, July 25, 2024, Arm & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) Selfridge ANGB celebrated 129 years of service to the community. The Macomb-county based employer has actively collaborated with Veterans' Employment Services to address their employment needs. 

Their recruiting manager, Linda, consistently shares updated job openings at AAFES Selfridge ANGB and plans to continue this partnership. Inspired by the success and positive experiences with two recent veteran hires, Linda aims to provide more veterans with rewarding job opportunities, enhancing the team at AAFES Selfridge ANGB through this ongoing collaboration with VES.

When Nicole Owens, a dedicated veteran, needed support with her job search, she stopped by her local Michigan Works! Service Center, where she was able to connect with Veterans' Employment Services. Nicole began working with Veterans' Career Advisor Bill Mourufas to update her resume to highlight her unique skills and military experience, learning essential job search strategies and intensive career coaching that prepared her for successful interviews. 

Nicole’s perseverance and dedication paid off remarkably fast. Within just one month, she secured a coveted position as a Customer Service Quote Coordinator at EMP, a leading company in the industry. Her new role not only utilizes her skills but also provides a platform for her to thrive professionally.

Bill also helped Nicole to pursue her master's degree in Business Administration by utilizing funding from the Veteran Readiness & Employment program. This degree will allow Nicole to take on more responsibility, manage larger teams and projects, and be better equipped to implement strategies that enhance customer relationships.

Nicole’s success story exemplifies the power of tailored support and the determination of our veterans. Veteran Employment Services staff are committed to empowering veterans like Nicole to achieve their career aspirations. Through our dedicated team of specialists and advisors, we continue to support veterans in their journey towards rewarding careers. See how VES can help you or a loved one at Michigan.gov/VES. 

Start your entrepreneurship journey with Boots to Business or Boots to Business Reboot, foundational entrepreneurial education and training programs for transitioning service members (including National Guard and Reserve), veterans of all eras and their spouses.

Participants are introduced to the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to launch a business, including steps for developing business concepts, how to develop a business plan, and information on SBA resources available to help. This two-day in-person program is facilitated by subject matter experts from the SBA and their extensive network of skilled business advisors.

Register for the virtual training here.

 Save the date for the Southeastern Michigan Veterans Stand Down on Sept. 18-19 at the Macomb Community College Sports and Expo Center. This two-day gathering is dedicated to supporting and honoring veterans. This event will feature a range of services including legal aid and more, aimed at providing comprehensive support to our veterans.

Learn more at 4vets.org.

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.