In an ideal world, military personnel returning home from active duty wouldn't have to worry about employment. That said, many individuals do find it difficult to slip into civilian jobs when their time in the service comes to an end. This is why it's important to seek out and publicize industries and programs that help veterans find work. A job is a cornerstone of a settled life, and when service members have fewer troubles finding work, the whole transition to home front life is easier.
Trucking industry makes direct pitch for vets
A recent Arkansas Democrat-Gazette report showed that trucking organizations are making efforts to get veterans as drivers, not just for the sake of supporting these individuals but because they tend to excel in those roles. The news provider spoke with leaders of transport companies who noted that skills honed in the military, from logistics knowledge to detail-oriented thinking to the ability to manage oneself independently, help drivers become top employees.
"Attention to detail, in layman's terms, is noticing things that other people would walk past and just not see. We have to constantly monitor our truck, inspect it and make sure everything is what it's supposed to be," veteran and truck driver Nathan Waite told the Democrat-Gazette. "I would also add self-discipline. It does take a lot of self-discipline to drive a truck, be on time, and get up out of bed when you're supposed to. They definitely teach you that in the military."
The news provider explained that there is now a joint program between transport industry organization FastPort and the Hiring Our Heroes Foundation, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce agency. The Trucking Track is meant to create connections in the industry, so that veterans may match up with companies eager to hire them. This mutually beneficial situation will have more trucks out on the road and fewer veterans looking for work.
That isn't the only program designed to bring military personnel into trucking, either. The Democrat-Gazette mentioned Troops for Truckers, a Veterans Resource Network service. This program includes the option of training, enabling veterans to move right into the transport field, even if they didn't perform similar work before or during their time in the armed forces.
Occupational programs popping up
Of course, fields beyond transport and logistics also have roles for veterans, and there are more general programs to help soldiers become civilian employees. California news provider Valley News recently highlighted California Employment Development Department funding for workforce training. The EDD's director, Patrick Henning Jr., cited military-honed traits such as discipline and dedication as reasons why employers should work with veterans.
Valley News reported that the funds described above, distributed by the Riverside County Economic Development Agency, have prepared military personnel for roles in numerous civilian fields, with construction, health care and the energy industry among them. With strong skills from their days in the armed forces and programs designed to help them find new employment, veterans have something to look forward to when they return home. Communities with good job training opportunities are helping these individuals enter a new stage in life.