FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Connecting Veterans and Jobs

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK  (July 27, 2012) – Transitioning from the military to civilian life is a challenge. When finding a new job is part of the process, it can be downright daunting. That’s why the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) and Workforce Oklahoma are focused on getting veterans back to work and helping them reclaim their former lives.

One effective method of connecting employers with veterans is through job fairs. An example is the veteran job fair in Pryor on July 17, 2012. The Northeastern Oklahoma Veterans Job Fair, held at the MidAmerica Expo Center, featured 39 businesses, 22 of which had current job openings, and 152 participants, including 113 area veterans. Along with a chance to search for work, veterans were offered a variety of services from, among others, area universities and vocational schools, the Cherokee Nation, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). OESC Veterans Representatives were also on hand to provide assistance and educate veterans about the services available to them through Workforce Oklahoma. Both participants and exhibitors praised the event. OESC Area Manager Pam Bridwell, Claremore Workforce Oklahoma Center Manager Ron Mullen, Pryor Workforce Oklahoma Center Manager Marsha Cunningham and staff, and Bartlesville Workforce Oklahoma Center veterans representatives were instrumental in the event’s success.

John Priddy, Director of OESC’s Veterans Services division, feels that veterans are an important ingredient in the state’s future success. “Oklahoma’s dynamic economy requires the full use of its motivated and highly skilled workforce,” he said. “The state will benefit greatly from employers hiring job-ready current and former military personnel. They bring with them a number of skills that are on-the-job assets, such as leadership, management, teamwork, accountability and responsibility.”

OESC’s next scheduled job-finding event for veterans is a Veteran's Virtual Job Fair to be held August 12-20, 2012, at www.vjf.cardcaa.org. This online recruiting fair showcasing jobs from entry-level to top management will be accessible 24-hours-a-day to veterans, allowing them to connect with an established network of participating local employers whenever it’s most convenient for them.

Through Workforce Oklahoma, veterans can access job search assistance, resume assistance, labor market information, career counseling, job referral, and referral to other supportive and training resources.