10 U.S. VETERANS MAGAZINE WWW.USVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM
CAREER & EMPLOYMENT
M
ilitary veterans are a special talent pool because we learn valuable skills that set us apart from other candidates in the workforce. During the pandemic, the veteran unemployment rate has hovered around 5 percent, but there are boundless opportunities, programs and outreach groups that can help veterans hone their skills, find a job or identify an upskilling program that is best for them. Fayetteville, N.C., which is home to the largest U.S. Army base and Army Special Operations Command, has more than 7,000 veterans entering the workforce each year. One area of opportunity for employment across the country is skilled trade jobs. A recent study found that nearly 400,000 skilled trade jobs had posted from the pandemics onset in March 2020 through February 2021. As veterans consider this pathway after service, they should leverage workshops, apprenticeship programs and military-friendly programs at local colleges and universities to identify the trade that is right for them.
PARTICIPATE IN A WORKSHOP
Studies have shown that creative hobbies, such as woodworking, can be an effective avenue to help veterans cope with the battle scars associated with years of combat service and to help overcome PTSD. A creative workshop is also a great starting point in identifying your strengths because its a short-term commitment; its inexpensive, and its a fun way to learn something new. These are a few of the reasons why I started
KURT BALLASH- BALLASH WOODWORKS
hosting workshops at Ballash Woodworks. Were a Fayetteville-based small business that specializes in handcrafted wood furniture, and weve also become a place for veterans and their families to come together for support and healing. Our workshops teach the art of woodworking, which brings veterans together through a shared trade.
By Kurt Ballash, owner of Ballash Woodworks
Three Ways Veterans Can
Hone Their Skills After Service
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