Not only does the Army’s SkillBridge Program help separating service members transition to civilian life, these Department of Defense interns pay dividends for businesses and communities who welcome them.
Cities, counties, states, government agencies and nonprofits also win when they take on men and women in uniform who are looking for a career and a place to call home. That includes recent Quad Cities Chamber SkillBridge intern and retired Col. Daniel Mitchell, the recently retired commander of the Rock Island Arsenal.
“If I was talking to a business owner out in the community and they were evaluating and thinking about the SkillBridge program I would say you get a chance to kind of kick the tires on a future employee; somebody that comes with a lot of what I’ll call intangible, non-resume benefits,” he told the QCBJ.
Employers such as John Deere and Arconic understand the value of helping veterans transition to the private sector, Mr. Mitchell said. But more partners are needed to assist well-trained soldiers preparing to become private citizens.
“They’re going to show up on time. They’re going to work hard. They’re good with uncertainty – I can count on one hand the number of days in my 25 years in the Army that went the way I thought they would,” Mr. Mitchell said. “They’re good members of teams. They can lead a team when asked to. You just get a lot of things.”
Tracie L. Timmerman, an IowaWORKS veterans employment representative, said such skills are among the reasons IWD became a third-party SkillBridge approver in November of 2023. Since then, Iowa Workforce Development has approved 28 new industry partner opportunities.
So far business participants have been “super ecstatic,” Ms. Timmerman said. Among them is the first Iowa business partner approved by IWD last February: Michelle’s Vocational Placement (MVP).
“When I researched the program, I thought it was fantastic how they’re helping service men and women gain employment and maybe giving them a smoother transition as well,” Tara Rommel, the Davenport-based MVP owner, told the QCBJ. “I have veterans in my family so that also played a part in it. I just really thought it was a great program.”
Now that veteran and intern Kolin Hensley has joined her staff of 25, she’s glad she did. “He’s very reliable and that’s what I love because working with individuals with disabilities there are some that can work by themselves and some that can’t so having a reliable employee is key for our customers.”
Though he’s not on MVP’s payroll yet, Ms. Rommel said “everything has been turning out great, so I don’t see him not being hired by us.”
Such experiences are the norm in a “very popular program with thousands of opportunities,” Ms. Timmerman added. In addition, many service members are looking for opportunities 12 to 24 months in advance of their separation “so that they can get their ducks in a row.” As a result, it may take some time to secure an intern, Ms. Timmerman said.
Where will these transitioning soldiers come from?
“We’ve talked to people from Iowa that want to come back home and we’ve talked to service members who are not from Iowa that want to come here and have heard great things about our companies and our community,” Ms. Timmerman said. “That’s our target, really, just getting our Iowa folks back and then getting new talent into the Iowa workforce.”
The potential for the future success of retiring military who come to businesses through IWD also is boosted by its partnership with the Home Base Iowa program.
“We’re giving that service member the full picture,” she said. “It’s not only about our industries, but it’s also about our communities and all the wonderful incentives that they get as a veteran when they come here to Iowa.”
Who to contact:
- Industry partners can learn about SkillBridge military internships and existing opportunities at skillbridge.osd.mil.
- Iowa Quad Cities businesses interested in joining the program can reach out for assistance through Iowa Workforce Development at [email protected] or by email to [email protected].
- Illinois Quad Cities border businesses also can inquire about opportunities at skillbridge.osd.mil or with [email protected].
SkillBridge at a Glance
- The Department of Defense (DoD) will pay a service member’s salary and benefits for up to six months while that person receives on-the-job training via an internship at a business.
- Employers will be able to train and evaluate a potential employee at no cost and with no obligation.
- Employers will have direct access to hardworking, mission-driven service members looking for a career opportunity after leaving the service.
SOURCE: Iowa Workforce Development
