Adam Rocke, Senior Director for Events and Programs for the US Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes (HOH), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s Memorial Day edition and discussed the different programs that provide meaningful work opportunities for military members and spouses as they transition out of active duty and into civilian life.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created multiple military transition programs, after initially creating the Hiring Our Heroes program. The program works to connect veterans with opportunities for work after their service time. The HOH also led to the creation of the Soldiers for Life program, which Rocke assisted in the setup. These programs have helped drop the veteran unemployment rate to a 20-year low.
Hiring Our Heroes provides meaningful work opportunities for military members and their spouses. With the potential for work gaps in their job history due to moving frequently, spouses are able to take part in the program that takes into account their skills first, and can overlook gaps in their job history.
In order to take advantage of the transition programs, Rocke recommends military members focus on skills you can learn while still enlisted. He recommends participating in some of the training that the Teamsters or United Association provide to transitioning soldiers. The G.I. Bill is another great opportunity that Rocke believes soldiers don’t use enough to develop skills to provide a future career. Hiring Our Heroes participates in worldwide career events on military bases, and from those events, over 614,000 soldiers and spouses have found jobs.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.