Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Soldiers and sailors from Oregon register for a career and benefits fair at Clackamas...... read more read more
OREGON CITY, Ore. -- Pfc. Chris Goula was looking for a job when he arrived at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, Ore., Nov. 19, and was visibly excited to be making solid contact with interested employers after being frustrated during his recent employment search. After returning from Iraq last year and working a variety of construction jobs in the past, Goula said he has been having a difficult time finding work.
“For the first time, I might be in the position to choose which job I want—this is great,” he said.
Goula attended Oregon’s first “Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair,” sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which included more than 80 employers ready to hire. The event was only part of what was open to service members, veterans and families on that day.
In addition to the employers at the joint service event, there were also more than 75 service providers on hand to help link attendees with information about education, health and other benefits available for those who have served.
The Oregon National Guard’s new Joint Transition Assistance Program teamed with the Navy’s Northwest Region Reserve Component—and a multitude of area partners—to help organize what JTAP Manager Craig Snitker called a groundbreaking event.
U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps Rear Admiral Paula Brown, Command Master Chief Martin Aguiar, Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command (the highest ranking enlisted Sailor on the west coast,) joined Brig. Gen. Eric Bush, the Assistant Adjutant General (Army), Oregon National Guard, and Oregon’s state Command Sgt. Maj., Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk Conley, at the event.
“This is a big deal, we have an admiral and command master chief at this landmark event,” said Conley.
Conley recognized employers and service providers at the event before recalling an education specialist that made him aware of a $250 a month education benefit that helped his family 30 years ago.
“I had a wife, two kids, insurance, and I paid for my third kid with a visa card,” he said.
Conley went on to say that the $250 a month made a huge difference in his life.
“Somebody might have the opportunity to hire someone here today and that person may not remember you 30 years from now,” Conley added. “But you will have a huge impact on one of those young lives, and their children.”
His presentation was followed by Tonja Pardo, assistant director for the Department of Labor Veteran’s Employment and Training Service, who helped organize the event and bring the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on as a sponsor. When Pardo asked employers who was ready to hire a veteran, the crowd of employers erupted with a standing ovation.
“Be a hero, offer a job,” Pardo said.
It was evident that employers took the comment seriously because WorkSource Clackamas Operations Manager Tom Previs said participants received 446 job referrals at the event.
Command Master Chief Aguiar said it was the first time there has been a joint operation with the Navy Reserve that included a job fair, employer recognition, spouse recognition, family reintegration, and many other resources all rolled into one.
“This is by far the best reintegration event I’ve been involved with and it’s all due to the joint aspect that the Oregon National Guard and Navy Reserve bring to the fight,” said Aguiar.
Dorian Hunt with the Transportation Security Association said her company was at the event ready to hire because veterans make great employees that don’t need to ask a lot of questions.
“They are tried and true, they stay the course and focus on the mission,” said Hunt, a former Navy cryptologic technician. “After a recent initial assessment for our company—of the over 400 that passed—over 50 percent were vets,” she said.
Many service members, veterans and families at the event were surprised by the scope of resources available in one place.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jeff Leslie, who deployed in 2009-2010, said he and his wife Shannon wanted to see what was available at the job fair. They were both impressed with what they found at the event.
“It is pretty awesome to see how much support there is in the community. It has been tough to find employment,” Leslie said. “I wish I would have done this before I left—this is a great resource for us.”
Commanding officer Bruce Bosworth of the Portland Navy Operational Support Center, said his unit has more than 430 Navy Reservist assigned in 17 units that often return as individuals. His association with the Oregon National Guard JTAP team opens access to more local and state services, he said.
“This has a positive and direct benefit on Navy Reserve mission readiness,” Bosworth said.
Admiral Brown explained that a partnership with the Oregon National Guard makes sense because it is all about helping Sailors, and the National Guard has the ability to access community resources.
“You see the National Guard everywhere here in Oregon, but you don’t always see the Navy,” Brown said.
Maj. Gen. Bush said events like the one at CCC are the centerpiece of what the Oregon National Guard does for families and soldiers to assure they are aware of available services.
“The National Guard is truly a reflection of the community and by having these resources in one place it shows the community support that is out there,” he said.
The Oregon National Guard is maintaining its status as one the top reintegration teams in the nation thanks to Oregon’s visionary concepts and close relationships with service providers across the state, said JTAP plans and operations reintegration manager, Master Sgt. Vince Jacques.
“We have merged our reintegration team and career transition assistance program in a joint transition assistance program and are taking things to a new level,” Jacques said, explaining his relationship with the service providers at the event.
“I look forward to working with these people—it’s like a family reunion,” he added.
Veterans, service members, families, employers and service providers interested in learning about programs in Oregon may contact Craig Snitker at 503-584-2393, or Vince Jacques at 503-932-2360
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2011 12:45 |
| Story ID: | 81087 |
| Location: | OREGON CITY, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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