 December 2024
Veterans' Employment Services Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE:
Dear Michigan veterans,
As the holiday season approaches, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your service and the sacrifices you’ve made for our nation. Your dedication and courage inspire us daily, and it is an honor to serve you in return.
This year, Michigan has seen remarkable strides in job creation and economic growth, and we are optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for our veterans. Whether you're seeking a new career path, expanding your skills, or looking to connect with employers who value your unique talents, we are here to support you every step of the way.
During this season of warmth and reflection, we encourage you to take pride in all you’ve accomplished and to embrace the possibilities that the new year brings. Together, we will continue building pathways to success and ensuring every veteran in Michigan has the resources needed to thrive.
On behalf of the entire team at Veterans' Employment Services, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year filled with peace, happiness and opportunity.
Claim your free military service recognition plaque from Together We Served! The 1" x 8 1/2" or 17" x 13 1/4" plaque is available for all branches of the armed service with 22 different backgrounds to choose from.
This is a great way to display your service – or would make a great gift for the veteran in your life. Learn more at TogetherWeServed.com/FormalPlaque.
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Verizon and Wounded Warrior Project® are partnering to support upskilling at least 1,000 veterans by Veterans Day 2025. The partnership leverages Verizon’s free Skill Forward program, which allows participants to access more than 250 free, credentialed courses through edX from four-year universities and distinguished institutions.
Spanning over 80 unique professional certificate programs, users can pursue skills in high growth job fields like AI, business, coding, communication, finance, IT and more. The platform also provides access to tips, industry-specific events, workshops and a job board to support users’ professional development and career transition.
Read more about this opportunity here.
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Live in Madison Heights? Then don’t miss your chance at a FREE Christmas dinner on December 23 (6-8 p.m.) at the Fuji Buffet. This event is open to veterans and first responders, courtesy of the Ricky Dong Foundation.
Don’t wait – seating is limited! To register, please send your name, photo ID and connection to the DOD (VHIC, VIC, NGUS ID, CAC, etc.) to jwa@168groupusa.com.
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Ken Koepke – Veterans' Career Advisor, Detroit
How has your military experience helped you in your position as a Veterans' Career Advisor (VCA)?
My Military experience has given me the insight to understand what other veterans may be going through.
What should veterans expect when they meet with a VCA?
That they will be meeting someone who will be helping archive their goals and working side-by-side with them on their job search journey.
What resource do you recommend to veterans seeking employment?
Michigan Works! and Veterans’ Employment Services are a great place to start since both our teams will connect veterans to the specific resources they need.
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When Jerry Pini, a U.S. Navy Veteran, was laid off from his job just one year from his planned retirement, he reached out to his local Michigan Works! in Hancock for support. Once he had identified himself as a veteran, the Michigan Works! team connected Jerry to Veterans' Career Advisor William Ennis.
Together, Jerry and William forged an action plan tailored to Jerry's unique skills, aspirations and circumstances. Drawing from a wealth of resources, including information on E-Benefits, job search tools such as Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org), and guidance on resume enhancement and job search strategies, Jerry was equipped with the tools needed to succeed.
Using these resources, Jerry applied for several jobs and landed an interview with G&J Site Solutions. Jerry made quiet the impression during his interview. Within six weeks of starting his job search, he had accepted a full-time position with G&J Site Solutions earning a competitive wage and full benefits – despite living in a competitive job market.
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Tech Qualled offers transitioning military high-tech skills and training to build a career in technology sales. Launchpad Academy™ from Tech Qualled is a comprehensive 7-week training program for veterans with 5 weeks of virtual product and industry training and a 1-week job search master class for veterans focused on establishing employment goals, resume building, industry networking & interviewing.
After completing the first 6 weeks of training, candidates will attend a 5-day virtual sales “boot camp” led by Fortune 100 executives. The weekly live forums are hosted by a team of skilled industry professionals with 125+ years of combined executive experience. Learn more at Qualled.com/veterans.
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Veterans, you’ve served us; now let us serve you this holiday season! The Braille & Talking Book Library (BTBL) would like to send you free audio and braille books!
The BTBL lends audio and braille books to Michigan residents unable to comfortably read standard print materials due to a visual, physical or reading disability. Apply for service to access more than 150,000 audio and braille books delivered right to your door or downloaded via the Braille and Audio Reading Download mobile app.
Best of all? There's no charge for this service! There is not even a charge to mail materials to the library. Get started at Michigan.gov/BTBL.
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An up-to-date list of upcoming job and career events is available on MiTalent.org's Career Events Calendar.
Detroit Salt Company Resume Drop-off Event
Dec. 19, 9 - 11 a.m. Event Details: view the event details Event Address: Detroit Salt Company - 12841 Sanders St, Detroit, MI 48217
The Detroit Salt Company is hiring heavy equipment operators, diesel mechanics, and certified electricians. All positions are full time with benefits. (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K) Interviews will be scheduled the following week.
CATA Employer of the Day
Jan. 2, 9 - 11 a.m. Event Address: Capital Area Michigan Works! - 2110 S Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48910
CATA reps will be recruiting for Motor Coach Operators, Utility, Mechanic First Class, and Mechanic Helper.
Michigan Department of Corrections Hiring Event
Jan. 6, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Event Details: view the event details Event Address: Capital Area Michigan Works! - 2110 S Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48910
Staff from MDOC will be on site recruiting for Corrections Officers, Healthcare positions, mental health positions, and food service positions. During this event, you can talk with staff, apply online, interview, participate in a physical fitness test (Corrections Officer candidates), get fitted for a uniform, and start the background check process.
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.
Event Success Tips
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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!
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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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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