August 2013 Newsletter: Velocity Happenings: Macomb County to help employers value vets

Macomb County is partnering with TMG, Inc. who also manages the extremely successful Virginia Values Veterans program for the Commonwealth of Virginia to offer an inspiring educational experience for area companies and their hiring managers who are interested in learning how to hire and retain veterans.

The day-long Michigan Values Vets program will offer information and resources for employers who wish to be a part of the solution by creating dedicated veteran hiring and retention programs. The program will introduce participants to leaders from local companies that already have strong programs in place. They will also learn how to translate veteran job experience to match current hiring needs, obtain resources for accessing ready, willing and able veterans and make available programs that offer assistance in training new employees or offsetting payroll expenses.

“We are on a mission to integrate Michigan’s workforce with highly skilled and able veterans,” said County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “This is an important component to both the success of our residents and our economy as well.”

The free conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12 at Macomb Community College’s South Campus. Funded through a grant awarded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the county will work with TMG, Inc. to pilot the program. All Michigan businesses are invited to attend.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, 29.4 percent of recently discharged veterans in Michigan are unemployed compared to the current statewide average of 8.4 percent.

Additionally, a 2012 Prudential survey discovered that 60 percent of recently discharged veterans named “finding a job” as their greatest challenge in transitioning to civilian life. Survey respondents say that while they believe they have the right skills, they believe that there is a disconnect as it is difficult to translate military experience with civilian hiring expectations.

To register, for the conference, visit mv2sept2013.eventbrite.com.

The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development supports an environment where businesses prosper and people thrive. Its activities and programs are focused on stimulating the local economy through business retention, expansion and attraction while improving the overall quality of life for residents. The department specializes in providing services to businesses at all stages of development with a concentration on the high-growth industries of aerospace, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, defense and homeland security. For more information, call (586) 469-5285 or visit MacombBusiness.com.

Training Modernization Group is a registered Serviced Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business and recognized as a Leader in Human Performance Systems including Strategy Development, Analysis, Design, Development and Implementation as evidenced by the awards and recognitions received by the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) and recognized expertise through partnerships with the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME), HRQMC, Virginia Off Shore Wind Coalition and New Horizons Regional Education Center. Partners include Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, Northrop Grumman Newport News, the Virginia Department of Transportation, BAE Systems Ship Repair, L-3 Communications, Ball Metal Container Operations, Minerals Technologies, Measurement Specialties, Earl Industries, Liebherr Mining
Equipment, Kimberly Clark, and Mar-Bal. Visit tmgva.com for more information.

For more information on Virginia Values Veterans, visit virginiavaluesvets.com.