 January 2025
Veterans' Employment Services Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE:
As we step into 2025, the Veterans’ Employment Services team is thrilled to continue empowering Michigan's job seekers! This year, we're dedicated to guiding veterans and their families toward fulfilling careers that match their skills and dreams. Together, we’ll navigate opportunities, tackle challenges and celebrate victories.
With hope in our hearts and excitement for what’s ahead, we look forward to connecting, supporting and making a difference in your journey. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth and success—together!
Experiencing challenges in life can be especially taxing for veterans. Fortunately, there are several VA programs, initiatives and suicide prevention resources that can help!
These resources cover everything from preventing a suicide crisis to support during a crisis. The resources are also open to all veterans, regardless of VA enrollment, discharge status or when and where they served.
Here are six suicide prevention resources all Veterans need to know about:
- Veterans Crisis Line
- Veterans Self-Check quiz
- Safety Plan app
- Keep It Secure program
- Veteran Training Portal
- Don’t wait. Reach out. program
Learn more about these resources here.
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Understanding the government marketplace and conducting preliminary market research are no easy tasks. Join VetBizCentral and West Michigan APEX Accelerator in this must attend webinar on Wednesday, January 29 from 10-11:30 a.m. if you plan to enter the contracting arena.
The webinar will review the services Apex Accelerators offer, various tools and resource to navigate through the challenging world of contracting.
Register for the free webinar here.
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Live in Oakland county? Then don't miss your chance to connect with local resources during the monthly Oakland County Veterans Resource Fair!
This month's event will take place on Thursday, January 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lyon Oaks Golf Course in Wixom. Representatives will be onsite to serve all veterans, active duty, guard and reserves, and their families by providing free food boxes, Meijer vouchers and resources about career planning, housing, healthcare, veteran transportation and much more!
Save your spot for this free event here.
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After graduating high school, Greyson joined the Navy, where he served proudly as a Helicopter Aircrew Warfare Specialist. However, his military career took an unexpected turn when he was medically separated after three honorable years. Although this marked the end of his Navy career, it did nothing to dampen his commitment to helping others.
Continuing his service, Greyson joined multiple fire departments, including Pinconning-Fraser, Standish, Sterling, Grayling and Mount Forest. But he was inspired to take on more responsibility and become an EMT after a ride along with Northern Bay Ambulance.
Greyson turned to his local Michigan Works! Service Center in Standish, where they recommended training at Patriot Ambulance Services, a veteran-owned company in Michigan, as a great next step.
To prepare for the EMT application, Greyson needed an updated resume and application materials. He connected with Veterans' Career Advisor Bridget Baker, who assisted him with creating a polished resume and recovering his DD214. With these materials in hand, Greyson was ready to tackle the application process.
Greyson’s dedication and hard work paid off when he was accepted into the EMT program, graduated, and recently took a position with Northern Bay Ambulance in Pinconning. This new accomplishment marks another chapter in Greyson’s journey to serve and protect his community —one he’s honored to fulfill as both a firefighter and an EMT.
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The Battle of the Bulge was fought between December 16, 1944 and ended in victory against Germany for the U.S. and Allies on January 25, 1945. The battle was fought under extremely cold weather conditions with scare supplies, and remains one of the bloodiest battles in American history.
Learn more about this battle here.
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Did you make a resolution to read more stories this year? The Braille & Talking Book Library (BTBL) can help you reach your goal!
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.
Dean Transportation Open Interviews
Jan. 14, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Event Address: Dean Transportation - 4812 Aurelius Rd, Lansing, MI 48910
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect and learn about the career opportunities Dean Transportation has to offer. Immediate openings are available for School Bus Drivers.
Delfield Job Fair
Jan. 15, 1 - 4 p.m.
Event Address: Delfield - 980 S Isabella Rd, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Delfield is hiring Production Team Members, Production Supervisors, Engineering Intern, and Engineering Technician.
Virtual Hiring Fair: Logistics, Skilled Trades and Transportation
Jan. 15, 1 - 4 p.m.
Event Details: view the event details
Transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses and military caregivers are invited to register for this virtual hiring event focused on employment opportunities in the logistics, skilled trades and transportation industries.
Virtual Career Summit
Jan. 29, 1 - 4 p.m.
Event Details: view the event details
Employers are looking for talent from the military community and hiring now for thousands of open positions. Whether you're looking for work now or exploring future possibilities, representatives are ready to meet you and answer your questions.
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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