Summit Guest Speakers - Ted Daywalt (left) and Ronald Benson
There is a big push within the federal government and the private sector to substantially grow the percentage of people with disabilities, including veterans, who are employed. If this includes you, the resources mentioned below, plus your eagerness, might help you to land the right job.
Employment for vets and people with disabilities was the focus of a day-long Disability Leadership and Policy Summit held on April 21 at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA sponsored by VetsFirst, United Spinal Association, and Temple’s Disability Resources and Services Department. The first few hours of this summit included exhibits from entities that offer employment and other services for veterans, including the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Feds Hire Vets program, while the afternoon was devoted to both public and private sector speakers who help vets and people with disabilities prepare for and find jobs.
It was a distinct honor to hear the presentation of retired United States Navy Captain Ted Daywalt––who founded VetJobs.com 11 years ago. Capt. Daywalt began by exploding a myth or two about the employment of veterans. For instance, less than one-half of one percent of military personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11 have the medical condition known as PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Also, many newly-hired veterans report that a new job does not challenge them enough. Employers need to recognize that today’s generation of veterans are both highly-skilled and well-trained. At VetJobs.com, you can sign up for their free newsletter, post your resume if you are a military veteran and search available jobs. It’s worth the click.
Mr. Ronald Benson, Deputy Director of the Philadelphia Region, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), a sub-agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, next informed attendees that his agency will sponsor more than 100 “mega-hiring” fairs for veterans over the next year across the nation. Further, Mr. Benson noted that JP Morgan Chase announced recently its intention to hire 100,000 veterans over the next five years. He described other important national programs of VETS, including Transition Assistance, Jobs for Veterans State Grants and helping homeless veterans. The VETS website is another treasure trove of information for veterans seeking gainful employment, including contact information for its staff nationwide.
Ms. Joyce Bender, Principal of Bender Consulting Services in Pittsburgh, PA was our crowd-pleasing, enthusiastic speaker. Bender Consulting has offices in a number of states and in Canada, and they are expanding out west. Among other sound advice, Ms. Bender noted that job seekers with disabilities must be prepared, must have a goal and must be fierce in their quest for the right job. Their mission statement is “to recruit and hire people with disabilities for competitive career opportunities in the public and private sectors.” So look up Bender Consulting Services and send them your resume. You’ll be glad that you did.
Terry Moakley
Chair of the VetsFirst Committee