June 23, 2008

Over 300 Veterans Attend Job Fair in Kimberly

(MADISON) – Over 300 veterans talked to employers from the Fox River Valley area, filled out job applications, and learned more about veterans’ benefits and services, at a Veterans Job Fair held in Kimberly on June 18th at Liberty Hall.

The event, hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Fox Cities Workforce Development Center, and the Outagamie County Veterans Service Office, was well attended by veterans of all ages, and their family members. Over 60 local employers were on hand to hold job interviews with veterans and accept applications and resumes. Area and regional employers provided information on employment opportunities, including jobs as machine operators, correctional officers, firefighters, engineers, truck drivers and more.

“Employers stated they loved the way this veterans job fair was organized and want to come back next year, that they had great candidates,” said Gary Meyer, Local Veteran Employment Representative for DWD. “Veterans surveyed said things like ‘I am so impressed by what was offered here today, I had a chance to meet with employers face-to-face.”

County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) from five counties met with veterans during the event to help them apply for veterans benefits and programs including Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Oconto and Wood counties.

Also on hand to assist veterans with eligibility for federal and state benefits, loans, health care, and education programs were staff from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

Nate Nez, WDVA’s Tribal and Regional Coordinator, said, “There were a lot of new veterans who hadn’t connected with their CVSO office yet, and we were able to get them information on who to contact.”

“The veterans I spoke with were looking for meaningful employment where they could use the leadership skills that they used while they were serving, and many were encouraged by what they were able to accomplish in one day,” said Jeff Johnson, WDVA’s “Mission: Welcome Home” Coordinator.

Kevin Drossart of Oshkosh, an Iraq veteran who served as a U.S. Marine Corps Infantryman from 2000 to 2004, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2008. He is interested in helping counsel other veterans. “I am eager to hear more about the possibility of a Vet Center opening in the Fox Valley, I think it would be a great job opportunity for me.”

To learn more about veterans employment opportunities, contact Local Veterans Employment Representative Gary Meyer at the Fox Cities Workforce Development Center at (920) 968-6873. For more information about federal and state veterans’ programs and services, contact the Outagamie County Veterans Service Officer Andy Clark at (920) 832-5697.

For more information on Wis. Dept. of Veterans Affairs outreach events, go to the department website at www.WisVets.com/Events or call WDVA toll-free at 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).