Nashville, TN – Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, has announced a three-day Employment Assistance Workshop to be held in Nashville and open to National Guard members, Reservists, and all veterans. It is also open to spouses and is completely free to every participant.
The workshop takes place May 24th, 25th and 26th at the Homewood Suites on Elm Hill Pike in Nashville. Registration will begin at 7:45am on Tuesday, May 24th.
“The military is like a big family,” said Maj. Gen. Haston. “We’re all taught to look out for our buddies and that’s what this program is all about. Some service members have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan to find the place where they used to work… is no longer in business; now they’re out there looking. We’re trying to help them every way we can.”
It will be a busy three days of classes focusing on veterans’ strengths, analyzing skills, effective job search strategies, dressing for success, writing resumes, cover letters and even mock interviews. The final day (May 26th) will be a “job fair” with as many as 30 employers in attendance. The Job Fair will be held at the Renaissance-Nashville Hotel downtown on Thursday.
“These will be employers who are hiring,” pointed out Marvin Wells, Tennessee Executive Director for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR is co-hosting the Job Fair with the National Association of Green Collar Professionals. The association has a special focus on supporting the unique needs of veterans through the Mission Green program.
“This is the twelfth such workshop we’ve held and the others have been big successes. We’re expecting a large turnout in Nashville, Wells said.” He added that if an individual was paying for such a workshop, the cost would be as much as $1,500. He emphasized that the workshop is not simply for the unemployed, but for those who feel they might be underemployed.
One of the attendees at a recent workshop in Kingsport was Specialist Anthony Collins, currently employed but hoping to find something that paid more. “I thought I was pretty good at doing interviews,” Collins said. “Then they pointed out all this stuff I did wrong, and then I learned some things that are going to help me.”
A father of four was a plant manager when he deployed, but when he returned the plant has shut down. “Things have changed, he said. “You have to get with the times and understand the most effective way to get in front of the employer… and what to do when you get there.”
Those interested in attending the workshop can register online at http://veteranscareers.eventbrite.com or by contacting Joe Thomas at 615-313-0752 or email joseph.c.thomas2@us.army.mil. Seating is limited so please call or email now to reserve a seat.
