VETERANS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES & MORE

1. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES & MORE Presented by: State of Wisconsin Office of Veterans Services Veterans Employment Team 5

2. MAIN PLAYERS FOR VETERANS BENEFITS AND SERVICES • “VA” (Department of Veterans Affairs) - Federal level veterans benefits (e.g., medical, federal GI Bill, etc). • “WDVA” (Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs) - State level veterans benefits (e.g., WI GI Bill, education grants, etc). • “CVSO” (County Veterans Service Office) - assistance and guidance in applying for federal and state benefits. Each county has an office and are part of County Governments. • “VER” (Veterans Employment Representative) - employment and training assistive services. Available through most WI Job Centers or outreach locations. Part of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). The program is federally mandated and funded by the Department of Labor (DOL).

3. Your CVSO can provide guidance and assistance in properly applying for benefits, referrals, and other services. For Marinette County: William Kowalski 1926 Hall Ave Marinette, WI 54143-1717 (715) 732-7650 To find other CVSOs go to: www.wicvso.org/your_cvso.htm Websites to learn about VA and State Benefits: http://dva.state.wi.us– home page for WDVA www.va.gov– home page for VA www.vba.va.gov/VBA– home page for VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) VETERANS BENEFITS CONTACT

4. ROLE OF VETERANS EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES PROVIDE JOB SEARCH AND TRAINING ASSISTIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: • Job Search tips and techniques • Resume and cover letter development • Preparing for interviews • Identify barriers to employment, and provide or refer to necessary assistance/resources • Referrals to other programs and services (e.g., CVSOs, Division of Vocational Rehab, Profiling Testing, Education Funding Sources, etc.) • More intensive services as needed (on a case-by-case basis) We cannot guarantee jobs, but can assist you through the process.

5. Brian Marquardt Ph: (920) 448-6778 Cell: (920) 360-0573 Email: brian.marquardt@dwd.wisconson.gov Coverage: Brown, Door, Florence, Kewaunee, Menominee, Marinette, Oconto and Shawano Counties Special Events & Incarcerated Veterans James Warner Ph: (920) 448-5315 Cell: (920) 360-0573 Email: james.warner@dwd.wisconsin.gov Coverage: Brown, Kewaunee, and Manitowoc Counties Special Events To locate other Veterans Employment Representatives use: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/veterans/vetreps.htm YOUR VETERANS EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES

6. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICES TO QUALIFY FOR VER SERVICES YOU MUST HAVE: • Served a 181 or more days on active duty other than for Reserve or National Guard training. (National Guard must have been called to active duty under Title 10 of U.S. Code to be eligible otherwise their service is State time). • Received a discharge other than Dishonorable or Uncharacterized. • Eligible with Honorable, General, Other than Honorable or Bad Conduct Discharge • If received a Dishonorable Discharge would not be eligible for any veterans benefits or services, not considered a veteran and it is a federal felony • Uncharacterized Discharges are given under 180 days as a result of unable to conform to military, pre-existing medical conditions, etc, cancels military service contracts and not considered a veteran • Served less than 180 days, but discharged due to a service-connected disability. • Awarded a campaign badge or medal for service in a combat zone. Being on active duty alone does not meet this requirement and the National Defense Medal does not count. Eligibility for other veterans’ programs & services vary, always ask.

7. GENERAL INFORMATION • DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) – This is the only “official” record of separation from active duty military service and must be permanently kept. You need to provide when applying for benefits and services. • Priority of Service: The Jobs for Veterans Act affords priority of service to eligible veterans and spouses over non-eligible persons for the receipt of employment, training and placement services provided under job training programs funded in whole or part, by the DOL. This includes veterans who do not qualify for Veterans Employment Services. Note this does not apply to VER Program. • Gold Card advises unemployed post-9/11 era veterans of services available to be successful in today’s job market. This includes but not limited to: • Job readiness assessments (testing, career assessment, etc) • Development of individual employment plans • Referrals to job banks, jobs, resources (career counselor, education funding sources and more) • For more details contact your VER

8. GENERAL INFORMATION (continued) • Veterans Preference Points are awarded for federal and state government employment exams afterpassing civil service exams giving a better chance for an interview. For more details: http://www.opm.gov/staffingportal/vetguide.aspfor federal jobs http://dva.state.wi.us/Ben_preference.asp for state jobs • Non-Competitive Authorities (for Disabled Veterans) • Federal special appointing authority by which agencies may hire eligible veterans without competition to positions at any grade level through General Schedule (GS) 11 or equivalent. More details are available at: http://www.opm.gov/staffingportal/vetguide.asp. • State agencies may give a noncompetitive appointment to 30% or higher service-connected disabled veterans for nonprofessional or entry professional level positions. More details are available at: http://dva.state.wi.us/Ben_preference.asp. • Non-Competitive Authorities are not guarantees to civil service jobs. You must meet all prerequisites and provide required information either via applications, resumes, forms, documents, etc. plus interview

9. GENERAL INFORMATION (continued) • Unemployment Claims and Questions. There are no representatives available in the field. You must either call, write or use website. • To File an Initial Claim call (800) 822-5246 • To File Weekly Claims call (800) 978-7887 • For Questions call (800) 494-4944 • Or go to the Website: http://unemployment.wisconsin.gov • Career Counseling Services – Career counseling services are available on an appointment basis to help assess: • Employment Needs and Goals • Skills and Interests Testing • Work Experience and Education • Identify Barriers to Employability • Referrals to resources • Interested contact your VER

10. GENERAL INFORMATION (continued) • Workshops – Various workshops are given at the Job Center. Schedules are available in Resource Rooms. We encourage all veterans to attend to get more ideas and advice. • National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) Program - Provides a work readiness credential. • Areas covered - Applied Math, Reading & Locating Information • Earn Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum certification • 2-parts: KeyTrain to practice and WorkKeys to earn certificate • Internet based, self-paced for KeyTrain, WorkKeys are proctored exams • Call (888) 258-9966 to set up your account (must be on internet when call) or check at a Job Center Resource Room Help Desk for assistance • Contact the Job Center Resource Room Staff when ready to take exams or John Lewis, N.E. WI Coordinator at (920) 448-6786.

11. GENERAL INFORMATION (continued) • Veterans-In-Piping (VIP) - 20 week pre-apprentice welding program and may be able to earn two or more National Welding Certifications. Upon successful completion guaranteed employment by the United Association (UA) of Pipefitters, Steamfitters and Plumbers somewhere in the United States, and will be considered a second year apprentice. • On-the-Job Training – Program designed to off set some costs of initial training of veterans who otherwise lack the skills required for the position and employer would provide employment placement. For further details speak with your VER. (This is not a permanent program). • Fidelity Bonding Program is a free form of temporary business insurance protecting employers against loss of money or property due to dishonest acts by newly hired employees. Employers can call 1-888-258-9966 for further details. • Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a program for employers to take tax credits ranging from $2,400 up to $9,600 for hiring veterans. Amount is dependent on veteran’s status. For further details on this program contact your VER.

12. GENERAL INFORMATION (continued) • Selective Service • All men between the ages of 18 and 26 must register with the Selective Service per the Military Selective Service Act, Section 12(g). Go to www.sss.gov and click on “Register Online”. You will be able to receive your registration number immediately. • Men on active duty do not have to register, but if released prior to reaching the age of 26 they must register within 30 days after release. • Veterans who did not register within the 30 days of release and have not reached the age of 26 may still register and receive their registration number. • For veterans who did not register, and are 26 or older applying for certain federal programs may need to provide proof of military service (DD Form 214 or Military Retiree ID Card).

13. PREPARING FOR JOB SEARCH AND APPLYING • First and foremost – “Know Thy Self” • Who are you? • What is your background? • What are your qualifications and interests? • Determine the above before starting searching for employment. • Develop “Buzz” words and terminology being used. • A solid method is gathering your information and developing: • Lists of Information (e.g., Work History, Education and Other Training, Personal Information and Qualifications Overview). A example sheet designed to help is available. • Create a Professional Portfolio to maintain these lists, original certificates, diplomas, important documents, rough resumes, etc. Update as you go through your professional life.

14. TRANSLATE MILITARY TO CIVILIAN • Military jargon is not understood. You need to translate it. • There are a number of websites designed for this purpose all can be found at http://vetsuccess.gov/military_skills_translators. • Let’s do a general discussion about translating. • What is a Navy Yeoman? Office Clerk to Administrative Assistant • What is an Infantryman? Police, Security, Leadership • Other ideas from group?

15. USE SERVICES NOW • We did not cover applications, resumes and interviewing today. These are more detailed and would be better served by specific workshops available at Job Centers, Career Counselor, or through appointments with VER Staff. • We strongly encourage the use of VER and Job Center services now while in college to better prepare you for finding employment after graduation. • A listing of services available at the WI Job Center Green Bay has been made available to those interested. Short video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

16. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME We wish you the best and thank you for your military service. If you have questions or need assistance a Veterans Employment Representative is only a phone call away.