Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP). Primary Mission – Assist Soldiers in Making Appropriate Career and Transition Decisions – Prepare Transitioning.

Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP)

• Primary Mission– Assist Soldiers in Making Appropriate Career and

Transition Decisions– Prepare Transitioning Soldiers and Families for a

Successful Career Change

• Associated Priorities– Connect Soldiers to Job Opportunities– Offer Soldiers Opportunities to Network with Private

Sector Employers

What is ACAP

• Extremely Competitive Job Market– National Jobless Rate: 9.1%– West has Highest Unemployment Rate: 10.4%– There are 4.2 Unemployed Workers for every Job Opening

• Employment Rates for Veterans are Higher than the National Average– Young Veterans Aged 18-24 Returning from Iraq & Afghanistan

have an Unemployment Rate of 22%

*Economic News Release: Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary (October 2011)

Current Conditions

• Translating Extensive Military Experience into Understandable Civilian Resume

• Lack of Educational Degrees, Certifications or Minor Requirements for Position even though they Posses the Skills

• Networking Skills – What is that??• Interviewing Skills – How to Talk Effectively• Educational Background – Undergraduate Degrees and/or Beyond• Military Language Barriers• Individual Expectations

Challenges for VeteransTrying to Compete

• Approximately 6,000 Soldiers Transition out of the Army from JBLM each Year

• In General, Employers Agree on the Top Qualities Soldiers Offer to the Workplace:– Self Discipline– Teamwork– Leadership– Problem Solving Skills– Code of Ethics / Integrity

Unique Talent Pool

• Military Training Prepares Soldiers with Unique Skills– Security Clearance– Highly Specialized Skill Training– Technical Training

• Proven Success– Longer Retention Rates– Efficient Performance Under Pressure– Triumph Over Diversity

Unique Talent Pool

• VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011– Expands Education & Training Opportunities– Improvement of Transition Assistance Program (TAP)– Acquiring Veteran’s Preference Earlier– Translating Military Skills and Training– Tax credits for Companies that Hire Veterans

• Up to $9,600 for Hiring an Unemployed Veteran With Service Connected Disabilities

• Up to $5,600 for Hiring an Unemployed Veteran

*VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011: House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs

Federal Legislation

VOW TO HIRE HEROES - 5 Best Practices -

GET THE WORD OUT: – educate human resources teams about the benefits of hiring veterans (Amazon), and – Figure out how skills learned in the military translate to the work a company does (Boeing)– Hire or designate a military/veteran recruiter and/or outreach person (Microsoft)– Include a veteran working in your company on your interview/hiring panels (General Plastics)

PROVIDE JOB TRAINING & RESOURCES:– Target transitioning service members– capitalize on skills developed during military service and incorporate on-the-job training– Partner with a local community college/university who can help supplement training– Help a veteran employee create a career development plan with your company that incorporates potential use of

their GI Bill benefitsTARGET YOUR JOBS TO VETERANS:

– Publicize job openings with Veterans Service Organizations (VFW, American Legion, DAV)– Develop relationships with the local military bases to help connect veterans with jobs (JBLM & NBK, NSE), – work with local One-Stop Career Centers (Work Source).

INTERNAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS:– develop an internal veterans group within your company to mentor recently discharged veterans,

CREATE A PIPELINE: – reach out to local community colleges and universities to help develop a pipeline of the many, many veterans that

are using GI bill benefits to gain employment in your particular area (Clover Park)– Reach out to local military installations and let them know what you need in employees (PSNS & Olympic College)

• HB 1432 (Washington State)– Allows Corporate Veteran’s Preference Program– Currently, Washington is the Only State

Allowing/Encouraging Private Companies to Advertise and Hire Based on Veteran’s Preference

WA State Legislation

Improved Transition Process

• Begins 18 months From Separation Date With Counseling from Unit Career Counselor Followed By at Least 5 More Individual Counseling

• At 12 Months From Separation Date Service Member Must Begin Transition Process by Attending TAP Class and Counseling with Transition Counselor

• There are Four Tracks For Service Members to Proceed With– Education Track– Standard Track– Apprenticeship/Trade Track– Small Business Track

JBLM ACAP on Facebook

JBLM ACAP on LinkedIn

Hero 2 Hiredhttps://h2h.jobs

ACAP Workshops

• Transition Assistance Program (TAP) - Mandatory

• VA Benefits Briefing - Mandatory

• Advanced Resume Writing• Interviewing Workshop• WA State Application Seminar• Federal Application Workshop• Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)• Small Business Administration (SBA) Course• Introduction to Trades Information Session• VA Disability Claims Session

Other Ways ACAP Helps

•Mentorship/Job Shadowing Opportunities– Hire America’s Heroes– Boots to Shoes– Networking Venues

• Employment /Employer Events– “Brown Bag” Presentations at TAP Class – Job Posting Opportunities in Computer Lab and on Social Media Sites– Employer Specific Career Day at ACAP Center

• Participate in or sponsor a networking event:– 1st Wednesday of the month in Seattle with

Marine For Life – next one 1 August, 11-2 at Fado’s Irish Pub

– 3rd Thursday of the month in Pierce County with ACAP – next one 21 June, 2-5 @ the Great American Casino

– “Brown Bag” lunch network event during Transition Assistance Program workshops – every Wednesday at ACAP Center

How to Connect with Soldiers (1 of 2)

• Conduct workshops for transitioning Soldiers– “How to:” Interview/ Write a Resume/ Network

• Provide Mentorship/ Job Shadow Opportunity

• Employment /Employer Events– ACAP Center Employer Events (Monthly)– ACAP Employment Fairs ( 2-4 per year) – next one 8 NOV at Camp

Murray– Company Interview/Hiring Event (As requested)

• List employment opportunity– ACAP Center/ACAP Facebook page– H2H.jobs

• Present Company and/or opportunity brief to Career Counselors

How to Connect with Soldiers (2 of 2)

Key Points Of Contact

Robin Baker – Transition Services Manager:Email: [email protected]; phone 253-967-1808, BB 253-686-0105Leadership Group Email:

[email protected] Fair Team email:

[email protected]

Website:http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/acap/

Questions