Photo by L. ParsonsIn anticipation of Veteran’s Day, several Winslow vets gathered for coffee and to swap stories last week. Members of the Army and the Navy shared their experiences in service and in civilian life. They included, (left to right) US Navy 2nd Class Petty Officer Jim Irwin, US Navy 2nd Class Petty Officer Ben Irwin, US Army Private Wayne Garrett, US Army Airborne Sgt. Richard Hodge and US Army Special Forces Sgt. Tim Martin. Martin said, “The military was and is big in my family.” Explaining what led to his enlistment he said, “It was in my blood and something I wanted to do.” Veteran’s Day is the celebration of veterans of all branches of service who have served in both peacetime and during conflict. It is commemorated Nov. 11 every year.
Photo by L. ParsonsIn anticipation of Veteran’s Day, several Winslow vets gathered for coffee and to swap stories last week. Members of the Army and the Navy shared their experiences in service and in civilian life. They included, (left to right) US Navy 2nd Class Petty Officer Jim Irwin, US Navy 2nd Class Petty Officer Ben Irwin, US Army Private Wayne Garrett, US Army Airborne Sgt. Richard Hodge and US Army Special Forces Sgt. Tim Martin. Martin said, “The military was and is big in my family.” Explaining what led to his enlistment he said, “It was in my blood and something I wanted to do.” Veteran’s Day is the celebration of veterans of all branches of service who have served in both peacetime and during conflict. It is commemorated Nov. 11 every year.

On Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed in uniform, risking their lives for the country we love. Unfortunately, when our nation’s veterans return home to their communities from duty, they often have difficulty connecting with careers that fully capitalize on their experience and potential. The impact is that too many Arizona employers are missing out on significant opportunities to enable veterans to contribute to the economic prosperity of Arizona.

This “next greatest generation” has the leadership, technical skills and “get it done” mindset to positively contribute to the bottom line of any business. Yet when veterans return to civilian life, time and again they fail to connect with career opportunities that take full advantage of their significant skill sets, which often have been honed under the most arduous of circumstances. While veteran unemployment rates dropped in 2017, underemployment remains a problem.

Fortunately in Arizona, there are companies working with non-profits and the military to help bridge this divide. The Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers was established in 2016 as a freestanding consortium of like-minded businesses intent on supporting veterans in the workplace. The council’s 20-plus companies are working together to develop and institute best practices for veterans’ careers, including supporting professional development and creating or expanding employee networking groups and mentoring opportunities within individual companies.

Many of these businesses, like USAA, TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Arizona Public Service, have already received the Arizona Veteran Supportive Employer ranking, which indicates the highest statewide standard in veteran employment. Some of these companies are also working together to institute internship and shadowing efforts like the Department of Defense SkillBridge program, enabling transitioning service members to intern with Arizona companies while still on active duty.

With Governor Ducey signing a proclamation announcing “The Year of the Veteran Career” in conjunction with Veterans Day, Arizona businesses have a special window to seize the national initiative in creating viable and productive career paths for veterans. Over the next year, the Arizona Corporate Council on Veterans Careers intends to work with business leaders around the state to commit their attention and resources around veteran career opportunities. Marrying the comparatively untapped resource of veteran talent with the opportunity of Arizona’s thriving business community will require effort, but in a state with more than 600,000 veterans, there has never been a better time to capitalize on the skillsets of a generation that is ready to work.

With shared commitment, Arizona’s business community can ensure America’s underused resource of veteran talent is put to great use helping grow our economy. If we give them the chance, veterans will demonstrate the qualities they can bring to any mission or organization, anytime and anywhere.

***

Don Brandt is Chairman, President and CEO of Arizona Public Service Co. He can be reached at donbrandt@apsc.com