Transitioning to Civilian Employment: Thurston County Businesses May Benefit from Available Support Services. Learn More at Chamber’s August Forum
Due to base realignment, the number of military and civilian personnel reassigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord is increasing exponentially. The Army Career Alumni Program estimates that between 500-600 soldiers will exit active service every month for the next few years. Many of these soldiers have indicated that they would like to remain in this area if local jobs are available upon exiting the military. Therefore, Thurston and Pierce counties can expect an influx of job-ready, high-skilled military veterans. These veterans represent a tremendous workforce opportunity for area businesses to tap into.
Participants at the Chamber’s August Forum will have the opportunity to learn about the variety of employment support services and incentives now available to connect exiting military personnel with Thurston County businesses from a panel of experts.
Robin Baker, a transition services manager at JBLM, will provide an overview of the JBLM transition process. Todd Burgess, Northwest Regional Manager, Education and Employment Initiative at Armed Forces Services Corporation will describe the Education and Employment Initiative. Sytease Geib, VP of Workforce Development at the Thurston County Chamber, will discuss BRAC and Camo2Commerce efforts by the Economic Development Council, Chamber and Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council.
Each person, business, and company can have a direct and positive employment impact through a continuum of work-based learning possibilities that include informational interviews, job shadows, internships, mentoring, on-the-job training and hiring.
Forum is on August 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Martin’s University Norman Worthington Center. Reservations are required for this event which includes lunch. For reservations, visit the Thurston Chamber website.
