Glenn Costie:

Q: Talk about workforce development and post-military careers. What are your organizations doing there?

Cassie Barlow:

So, the Aerospace Professional Development Center was set up by the state to work with the aerospace community to help find people work, and we’ve been on it the last three years that I’ve been there. There are about 200 different employers in the industry in this region, and we help them fill their workforce demands. It goes without saying that in aerospace and the defense industry, veterans are a huge asset. We start working with them while they’re still in the military and start looking for a position outside the fenceline, encouraging them to stay in the Dayton region and we help them make the transition – working with them on their resumes, interviewing skills and making the transition outside.

A lot of assistance is needed, because a veteran has never had to search for a job before, or do a resume before, or go through the interview process. Veterans also tend to undersell themselves all the time, and not even recognize all the wonderful skills they have, or the amazing things they’re able to do because of their time in the military. We work with a wide range of people, from aircraft mechanics to Ph.D. engineers – all those jobs are available in our region. And nine times out of 10, the veteran will be easier to place, because he or she already has the skills and also the security clearance. Our work is starting to get some word of mouth, so we’re hearing from veterans from all over the world who are reaching out to use about the services we offer and the jobs here.

We work with all branches, but also with fairly large groups across the region, including Ohio Means Jobs, Jobs and Family Services, all those wrap-around services that veterans need – not just jobs, but also security and housing needs, health issues, maybe PTSD issues. We had a big network come together last year, the Greater Miami Valley MyVeteran Community – we were one of 50 cities across the country asked by the secretary of the VA to start this community engagement board that is completely community led, working with non-profits here that have interest in veterans to come together for one purpose – to support veterans in the region.

We’ve had resource fairs for veterans at Wright State the last two years, and we also are working with United Way of the Miami Valley on a Veterans Link 2-1-1 line, a 24/7 referral service for veterans where they can pick up the phone, dial 2-1-1 get another veteran on the line who has a really robust database who can help them with whatever issue they have and connect them to the right service. This will be one of a kind, not one anywhere else in the country – but in Dayton, once again, we’re blazing a trail.

And it will overlay our 16-county catchment area, so a veteran in Lima would be able to use it and get to services.

Q: How many are you serving at the Dayton VA?