Learn the Resources for Hiring Veterans in Iowa

The Greater Des Moines Partnership recently held the “Untapped Talent — Veterans Programs Providing Employer Incentives” webinar featuring guest speakers to discuss hiring, training and retaining veterans in the workplace. Tim Perkins, who serves on the Inclusion Council and is a veteran himself, moderated the event, including the following panelists:

• Jathan Chicoine, program manager for state and strategic initiatives, Home Base Iowa (Iowa Workforce Development)
• Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Philip Turner, education officer for the Iowa National Guard
• Scott Silvay, employment specialist, Veterans Benefit Administration
• Becky Coady, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

Home Base Iowa

Chicoine highlights homebaseiowa.gov and how it connects Iowa veterans and their spouses to opportunities with businesses across the state. Along with job opportunities, Home Base Iowa also offers local resources and community services, including resume assistance.

Registered Apprenticeships with Iowa National Guard

For those interested in an employer-sponsored education and training program, LTC Turner suggests the Registered Apprenticeship through the Iowa National Guard. With 585,000 apprentices employed in the U.S., the program can lead to opportunities within the aerospace, biotechnology, geospatial and healthcare industries, among others. Through a Registered Apprenticeship, trainees can earn full-time wages while collecting a monthly GI Bill check during the training period.

Veteran Readiness and Employment Service

Silvay discusses connecting veterans to meaningful employment opportunities through the Veteran Readiness and Employment Service (VR&E). VR&E offers five tracks for veterans, including re-employment, rapid access to employment, self-employment, employment through long-term services and independent living. Employment services range from resume development to interview skills to job placement assistance.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) has 120 volunteers statewide within employer outreach, military outreach, Ombudsman and the Employment Initiative Program. Coady outlines the benefits of these programs, along with links to resources for USERRA, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Watch the entire webinar below:

 

You can find more information in The Partnership’s Untapped Talent Toolkit, and veterans in DSM here.

Job opportunities and career resources are abundant in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Whether you're looking to find an internship, a job, develop professionally or grow as a student, we have the resources to help you thrive.