Connecting Transitioning Military to Oklahoma Jobs

‣ Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Veterans Services Division ‣ Oklahoma Department of Career & Technology Education (CareerTech for Vets) ‣ Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development ‣ Oklahoma National Guard Employment Coordination Program

Workforce Center staff help Veterans identify and address deficiencies in necessary skills, develop resumes and locate and apply for jobs. Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist provides intensive services to Veterans with significant barriers to employment. The Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVER) conducts outreach to employers in the area to assist Veterans in gaining employment. They market Veterans and Veteran programs.

CareerTech offers programs and services through 29 technology centers with 57 campuses. The goal is t o connect our military members with Oklahoma companies with immediate needs, identify lacking qualifications, expedite the training and accreditation process, and secure jobs.

The Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development is focused on developing comprehensive workforce development systems that supports Oklahoma’s employers. Their online system, OKJobMatch, is Oklahoma’s answer to online job search right down to resume matches and salary requirements.

The Employment Coordination Program increases career opportunities for our deserving Oklahoma Guard members / Veterans by developing positive relationships with Oklahoma employers and connecting our Citizen Soldiers / Airmen with these employers through all available channels and resources in order to obtain stabilized careers and optimal National Guard retention.

 The “Oklahoma Military Initiative” was directed by Governor Mary Fallin to identify and provide the full range of available services to the State’s Military Community including active personnel stationed in Oklahoma, National Guard and Reserves, and our Veteran Population.  Goal is to help transitioning service members as well as their families  First Hiring Event held in November 2012 in Norman, OK with nearly 60 employers and more than 420 jobseekers  Other Hiring Events have been held at Fort Sill, Broken Arrow, Stillwater, McAlester & Enid.

 Serving Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors  Currently serving National Guard and Army Reserve members  Military Retirees  Family members/Dependents

 Reach out to job seeking transitioning Oklahoma military members and connect them to employers by way of hiring events held throughout the state  Job seekers are encouraged to attend preparation events to work on resumes, interview techniques and how to dress for interviews.  Participating employers must have jobs, preferably ones that pay well. Employers are vetted to ensure they fit the model.  Job seekers are matched upon registration to employers with similar career fields. Resumes are forwarded to matching employers prior to event.  Goal is to have employer reach out to job seeker, interview at hiring event and hire veterans.

 Registration for the event opens as far at 3 months in advance at  Employers are recruited based on their jobs and benefits  Job seekers are recruited statewide through OESC, National Guard and Army TAP Programs  Matching of resumes to companies is done prior to event and resumes are then forwarded to companies  Job seekers receive list of matched companies when they check in at the event.  Interview rooms and computer labs are made available at the hiring event.

The website and the Hiring Event used existing staff, resources and infrastructure, which allowed the events to offer booth space to employers participating in the Hiring Event free of charge by utilizing Oklahoma National Guard facilities or Oklahoma Technology Centers and existing manpower. This represented a savings of approximately $1000 on average to the employers who participate in these events.

 80 Employers & 6 Support Organizations  118 Pre-registered / 40 attended  127 Walk-Ins  Total of 167 Job Seekers  35 Job Hires to date

 48 Employers & 7 Support Organizations  192 Pre-registered / 110 attended  202 Walk-Ins  Total of 312 Job Seekers  13 Job Hires to Date

 80 Employers & 10 Support Organizations  129 Pre-registered / 52 attended  84 Walk-Ins  Total of 136 Job seekers  11 Job Hires to Date

 35 Employers & 6 Support Organizations  88 Pre-registered / 40 attended  32 Walk-Ins  Total of 72 Job seekers  10 Job Hires to Date