Veterans and employers: Making the homefront connections

March 27--The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, 503 South St., Waterloo, again will host the Homefront Connections job fair for veterans and employers on April 23.

The organizers of Homefront Connections are the Black Hawk County Commission for Veteran Affairs, Hawkeye Community College, University of Northern Iowa and the Grout Museum District.

Last year's spring and fall fairs focused on creating a one-stop shop for veterans and active military members to make them aware of the services available in the Cedar Valley.

This year's fair will combine resources and employment for veterans and at the same time provide resources for employers as well as potential employees.

The event will feature a morning panel discussion beginning at 9 a.m. for employers on financial resources and services available through agencies that manage local, state and federal programs. These programs will help employers access veteran-hiring subsidies through employer incentives, tax benefits, internships, apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs. Employers are encouraged to send two representatives to the fair so they can take advantage of the workshops and also be available for job seekers.

Following the introductory panel, employers can attend work sessions from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. addressing specific programs and procedures used to access support services.

Topics will include supporting a military-friendly work environment; financial resources and incentives for hiring veterans; veterans' transferrable skills and understanding military training and occupations as they relate to civilian jobs; and Iowa Consortium of Veterans excellence/career services support for employers.

An employment fair also will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Service members and veterans can find various resource services specific to their needs on the second floor. Employers will be able to network with the service providers and learn more about resources available. The employment portion of the fair will be held on the first floor.

The booth fee for employers is $50. The employment and resource fair is free and open to all Cedar Valley service members and veterans. Employers must be currently hiring.

Lunch will be available to all employers and vendors.

Employers interested in attending may register through the Grout Museum District's website: gmdistrict.org/VeteransAndEmployersFair. There is only space for 30 employers and 30 service providers.

For more information, please contact the Grout Museum District at 234-6357 or homefrontconnections@gmdistrict.org.

Panelists will include: Kathy Anderson, Home Base Iowa program manager; Anthony Smithhart, director of the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service; Michael Howell of Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation; and Dr. Michael Hall, director of I-COVE and neuropsychologist, Iowa City VA Medical Center.

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