In talking about veterans preference points of state and local civil service positions, here’s a little nugget of information below on a special state agency job fair where many of the state’s agencies are gathering together and which is not too far from us. Perhaps CareerLink Lehigh Valley will have one in the future, though individual state agencies do appear there from time to time. (more…)
The Commownwealth’s Veterans Preference statute might not be the greatest thing since sliced butter and we have heard that there have been problems of fairness in hiring veterans in by state government. It is what drove a state law which now requires a veteran to be appointed to the state’s Civil Service Commission. However, that does not mean you should be ignorant of the benefit when applying. It has helped many. (more…)
Last Veterans Day 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched with little fanfare a new website, www.vets.gov, though it is still under development and not anticipated to be finally complete for a year. It is part of the ostensibly transformative MyVA initiative and is being done in response to the federal government’s acknowledgment that there is are far too many “helpful” websites, call centers and 1-800 numbers out there. The end result is “the VA customer experience is fragmented, frustrating and confusing.” The VA is attempting to develop a simplified website “which provides useful information that’s clearly written and presented and tools that are easy to find and use” in all one place. This is no easy task.
One of its better efforts on this website seems to be the The Veterans Employment Center™ (VEC). Its intention is to connect veterans and their families with meaningful employment and career-development opportunities. (more…)
Ignore the bilingual preference requirement. Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces still speak English (or at least American English). If you have the other skills, are level-headed and are interested, consider applying. See details below: (more…)
It is estimated forty-five percent of those in the armed forces are from rural areas. Surprisingly, considering its its wealth of industry and size of population, Pennsylvania has large rural tracts. About 89.5% of its area and 21.3% of its population is rural. Even in the Lehigh Valley, the third largest metropolitan area of commonwealth, there are sizeable, rural areas. These fall within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s sphere of responsibility, and that is useful to know. (more…)
Berks County Seeks Deputy Director of Veterans Affairs
We’ve just heard the Berks County’s Director of Veterans Affairs has announced he is seeking a Deputy Director of Veterans Affairs to assist him. He seems to be wisely developing a succession plan to ensure continuity of operations in Berks County. (more…)
According to a 4 March 2016 posting by Northampton Community College (NCC), a grant from the United States Department of Transportation has enabled the college to offer free commercial truck driver training to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses (including current members of the National Guard and Reserves) who reside in Northampton, Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Carbon, or Lackawanna counties. [Editor’s Note: It is unfortunate such a course offering does not exist for Lehigh County residents.] (more…)
Just got out and maybe wondering if going back to school is for you — maybe even lacking a little self-confidence about being the right material for a school of higher learning? Not sure how to best use your educational benefits? Confused about the process or the next step? You’ve served in the military, one of the hardest environments in which to survive even if you did not go into combat — and you’ve done it … what most could not. Wonder why? The U.S. military is one of the best trainers and educators in the world, second to none.
So … why not then take advantage of some of the finest educators and subject matter experts in the state to learn about how to train for civilian employment using your military skills, the GI Bill and other benefits. Why not learn how to use every ounce of your benefits to your advantage and not someone else’s; why not learn from others who are and have just gone through the school on what to look out for, tips and traps. Why not learn about what jobs are in demand in the Lehigh Valley if you intend to remain here after schooling; why not get to know the schools and trade schools in the area; and why not just figure out — plain and simple — if school is the right fit for you? (more…)
Treatment Trends Inc. has a case manager for a veterans-specific treatment track which is integrated into its in- and outpatient drug and alcohol treatment programs. Treatment Trends is a key, community resource for some of our most severely afflicted veterans. If interested in the position, apply as shown in the job announcement flyer below:
The Eastern Pennsylvania (aka Philadelphia) District of the Small Business Administration seems to be improving its veterans outreach into the Lehigh Valley and nearby these days. Late last year they did something with CACLV, an odd acquaintance. Hopefully, we will continue to see more of the types of efforts shown below. It has been said 40 percent of all military servicemembers upon discharge wish to start their own businesses (or work for themselves). The statistic is questionable, but there are certainly enough veterans in this third largest metropolitan statistical area of the commonwealth with the aptitude, perseverance and seriousness required to start their own business, if they only knew how. (more…)