Raymond, Millie (Human Resource) for Veteran Representatives

Me and Auntie Mae and WorkSource Specalist 3

Jim, Tommie(me),Raymond, and Micheal

Ebony and I

Myself and Ebony another Veteran Representative

 

This is my last week with WorkSource Lakewood so here are some of the great people I work with.

Week of 3/7/2011 to 3/11/2011

Well this week was a normal week we have been making calls to long term unemployed veterans.  This week I was able to make flow sheets for all the processes the I complete as a Veteran Representative.  I did the flow chart for when a veteran comes into a unemployment orientation and the steps the one should follow in the program we use called SKIES.  Also I applied for an open position that will be opening sometime at the end of the month and I got certified, which means that I met all requirements for this state employment postition.  I forgot the camera today I wish I would have brought it, because the LVER Maurcio bought pizza for everyone.  Also this week I found out some bad new that, they are cutting the number of interns that can intern from 6 to 2 and that is going to effect a lot of college students; this is due to budget cuts.  Also I have been interviewing a number of older unemployed workers and each one the at speak with swear that they cannot get a job because of their age which really helps me with my paper.  This is because they have no clue of their rights, the Age Discrimination Act, or who they can go to for help and advice.  My reaseach has allowed me to have this information for these older workers.

Week of 2/28/2011 through 3/08/2011

This is Barbara the Queen and Sheriff of WorkSource Lakewood

This is Raymond and Jim

This week everyone is back to work thank you.  I was given a list of maybe 60 to 75 long term unemployed veterans and tasked to call them and find out what type of work they were looking for, if they were looking for retraining, and invited them to the first part of a 4 part employment program.  For the first group we have to find 10 veterans that are looking for work in IT, Warehouse, and Production.  I thought that this would be an easy task but it wasn't.  Most of the veterans were at an age close to retirement, and had health issues.  These same people now want to get retrained so that they can do so less intense work other than production or warehouse, and a lot of them are not computer illiterate so the IT where not easy to fill either.  After calling all of my veterans and leaving many messages I got three veterans who fit the profile employment in these three fields.  Next we had to have them either email or fax their resume to us, so that we could verify that they qualified.  If they did not have a resume we set and appointment to attend a resume writing class or to sit with a Veteran Representative.  The first event is Veteran employment Boot Camp and it is on 03/21/2011 and we will be working with this group of ten veterans and this will grow each month as we connect with more employers in other fields for April the  will be on CDL drivers, customer service, and flaggers.  This week I included pics of co workers.

Week of 2/21/2011 through 2/25/2011

This week was interesting because I am in the office by myself.  I mean I was the only Veteran Representative.  The other Representatives had to go to SKIES training which is three days long.  I have  had this training already.  It was a very busy week and it went fast.  I had to make calls to long term unemployed veterans offer services, such as dislocated worker for veterans who my need retraining due to job relocations or to update their skills to become more employable.  This week I had to work with a disabled veteran who had just graduated with her bachlors degree and was having a hard time finding a job because she has no experience, she is 55 years old and told me that she feels like she wasted her time going back to school because now that she has a degree no one will hire her because she states she feels that she is told old and employers are worried about her retiring.  I was able to help her a resume that focused more on her current skills and not just her experience.  I asked did she have any proof and she said that she gets the interview and it seems she does well but never gets a call back.  She also states that some empoyers even have you enter your birthdate on the application and she fells that is discrimination.  So I dont this was great and is currently relates to my research paper on Age discrimination in Employment.

This is the LVER Mauricio Kenny

Week of 2/14/2011 through 2/18/2011

This week I had to train two new veteran representatives, on the basics of the computer program that we use at Employment Security Department or ESD.  I sat with them went through each form, showed them how the log in and out of the system, they shadowed me as I did job matching with veterans, and helped walkins with resume or community resources, and explained different programs, how they work and who qualifies for the program.  I also showed them around the office and introduced them to everyone.
This week I was also allowed to lead the Veteran Job-Club this week on 2/17/2011 and the Veterans Administration building in Lakewood.  This was very exciting and nerve reckoning because I was suppose to meet the person who originally leads the club and she was going to help me get started and be there if I needed help or anything.  Unfortunately she was sick this morning and I arrived there they did not know who I was, and they did not know that this person was sick.  So finally after about 20 minutes we got everything figured out and another Veteran Representitive was sent to help me.  I got the meeting starting by asking eveyone to introduce themselves, with there names and something about there employment experience to break the ice.  By the way this was a meeting set up with about 12 to 20 long term unemployed veterans, for networking, and best practices reasons.   We got the meeting going, was able to get and give great labor market information, and found issue that age discrimination was a common feeling amoung these veterans because besides mybe two all were in there 50's and 60,s.  Overall great week got to were jeans today because as of last week Adminstrator said yes to jeans on fridays.

Week of 2/7/2011 thru 2/11/2011

This was an interesting week this week we did the usual.  We helped different veterans with job searches, resumes, and gave local community resources.   In one case I had a veteran who came in and was interesed in one of our programs called the Trucking Program.  This is where we send qualified veterans down to Salt Lake City, Utah for CDL driving training.  We have to go through an extensive package with each person to make sure that they meet the qualifications.  If was a bit fustrarating in the begining because we had to make the copy of the ID or Drivers license in a special size and it took me a while before I got it right. The veteran was patient with me though and that was great.
There was also another change to the office we where moved again but it was to a bigger space. This week I also learned something fun that is done at the end of everyday before they leave work.  I stayed late on Monday 2/7/2011 and they do a soul train line dance to different music to wind down before the drive home.  I thought that was great and everyone join in.  That was about it for this week because I have been sick most of the week.

Week of 1/31/2011 to 2/4/2011

Well this week we started a new process in what we do as Interns here.  We are tasked to contact long term unemployed veterans.  We have to verify there military status, and dates.  We offer resume and cover letter classes, as well other employment services for veterans.  We have to contact the veteran via telephone, email or regular mail.  We focus on getting older veterans the computer skills needed to have a fighting chance in this technilogical era.   
This week we will also be expanding other services for veterans, before we could only request a copy of a veterans discharges papers for them now we also have the ability to request medical records as well.  Our business cards where ordered, and I was added to the list of Veteran Representative for our office and connected with other representatives in other counties such as Mason and Thurston.
Finally this week I was out for two days due to hospitalization, but better now and was welcomed with cards, and flowers.  I was also given my own list of veterans to contact and work with in providing services for employment, and training.

Week of 1/24/2011 to 1/28/2011

Well this is week three and things are finally starting to get familiar.  On 1/25/2011 we had a meeting with all of the DVOP counselors, and the Business Service Manager for the Tacoma area, as well as aother interns to talk about the changes in structure of the leadership team.  In this meeting I got to meet all the leadership who work and develop programs for veterans and find out what other interns do at other offices.  I found that each intern had a different job because at each location the veteran needs are different.  They also asked for input from us interns on how to make our job flow easier, and we discussed issues that each location has and offered solutions, and better practices.  They also changed the name of our positions to Local Veteran Representative.
There are also two other Local Veterans interns who joined the team this week , which I think is awesome because of  the amount of veterans that I deal with.  The only bad thing about the deal is I have to share my desk which is not large enough for two people but we will work it out.  This week I also sat thru one of the Unemployment Benefits oreintation, and will attend another next week so that I will be able to give the oreintation before my intern is over.
The people here are great they are having a spring potluck in the next few weeks, and I have been asked to train the new interns on the basics of what we do here.  WorkSource has a JobClub just for veterans every third Thursday of the month and I am training today on how to give this 1hour class about networking, best practices when applying for jobs, and interviewing tips.  Very busy never a dull moment will have pics next week to post.

Week 3 from 1/17/2011 to 1/21/2011

This week I am still at the Lakewood office, until the new DVOP comes out of training.  I am more familiar with the people I work with.  I work with mostly women of all races and ethnic groups, and they are very funny, because they act just like a big crazy family.
This week I processed my first veteran into a truck driving training that will allow him to recieve a CDL license, and guarntee him work with this company for a year.  I had to go thru this 12 page package with him to make sure he meets all the qualifications, and I had to copy his ID but it had to be blown up somehow, and I spent 30mins trying to figure out how to do this, but  he was patient and we got it done.
This week I had to deal with the sad part of this intern, working with veterans who are struggling to find a job, about to lose their homes, and just horrible situations.  Some of these people have Master's degrees, and because of their age they cannot get hired. 
This week I learned that age discrimination is out there and its real, but also there are programs, and community workshops that the elderly can attend to help with there job search and placement.  Also that most people who are having a hard time finding a job lack training, or experience. That employees want you to have them both.

Intern Week 2 1/10/2011 to 1/14/2011

Well it is week two, and I am getting busier than the first week.  I have to work in the Lakewood WorkSource office this week.   From my understanding there was no one here before to take care of the Veterans, that's why I was sent here for a week to bring veteran presence.  I noticed that there is a difference of class of veterans that come to this office and the ones that go to the WorkSource Pierce office downtown Tacoma. 
When I was downtown last week I got to work with homeless veterans, and veterans with more need.  Here at the Lakewood office I work with more skilled or educated veterans, as well as military personnel with a few months left of service.  The type of service I provide is more informational and about unemployment benifits, whereas at the WorkSource Pierce office I am sending request for medical, or service records, and refering these veterans to other community support groups for help with their mortgage, rent, eletric, etc.
While at the Lakewood office I also worked alone and had my own desk, and treated more like a regular employee for ESD.  At the Pierce office there are three of us and we share one big cubicle, and were are more to ourselves in our area.
Overall this week was a great learning experience for me to see the different needs of the veterans based on their office locations, and how offices that do the same job are ran so differently, but accomplish thier goals. 
There was a veteran Disabled Counselor that was recently hired, and I got to train him on the basic intial assessment when contacting veterans.

Intern Week 1 1/3/2011 to 1/7/2011

Well week one is over and it has been fun so far.  I was in a three day training and learned the program the Employment Security Department uses called Skies.  I do walk in assistance for veterans as well, last week a had a few veterans in here and they each had a different issue with the recession but in each case it boiled down to their age.  They both felt that they were being discriminated against because of their age and wanted to know if there was anything that I could do for them. 
The first person has numerous degrees, awards, and accalaids to show his experience, but he states he has been unemployed for over 2yrs, so I took some time and listened to him, gave  him different resouces, and went over his resume with him and provided him with job referrals.  The reason why I want you to know this is because, when I got done his attitude was changed, he thanked me so much, and other workers in the office gave me Kudos for a job well done.  This was an eye-opener for me because just listening, and providing options for someone can make someones day.  I am new to this and hoped I was doing the right thing, because the trainning I have was on software, and you have to already have the peope skills, even if you dont know its there. 
On 1/10/2010 I had serviced so many veterans today, I provide community resouces, and training classes, resume help,answer unempployment questions, complete intial assessements.  I will begin to go out in the community to learn the other part of this postion next week can't wait.
Chuck not sure if this is what you asking please let me know and I will fix it.