The Skilled Careers Coalition stands ready to assist veterans who are looking to re-skill into meaningful civilian careers following their military service.
Founded in 2022, the non-profit organization is based in Laguna Beach, California, and is focused on connecting youths and others with skilled trades and careers.
“Those key doubts and questions that veterans have are the same as an 18-year-old graduating from high school has,” explained Skilled Careers Coalition Executive Director JJ Owen.
The coalition launched Skills Jam in late 2023, posting stories on YouTube and TikTok celebrating those in the skilled trades.
“We’re trying to have a conversation that resonates with a veteran in the same way it resonates with an 18-year-old or even a 13-year-old,” Owen said. “We’re trying to figure out what is your motivation, but we’re also going to talk about compensation.”
Skilled trades include careers in everything from construction and welding to the medical field. Many veterans leave the military with experience in the skilled trades, making them an almost perfect match for civilian jobs, said West Post graduate and Skilled Careers Coalition board member David Ottavianelli
“There are a number of different paths in the skilled trades that service members can take to continue to grow,” he said.
Ottavianelli acknowledged that the military-to-civilian transition is challenging.
“It is a game changer,” he said. “They are jumping now into a whole new pattern for them and their families and it is difficult, extremely difficult.”
Ottavianelli explained that transitioning service members can participate in the SkillBridge program with their commander’s approval, beginning about a year out from leaving the military.
“A service member gets to do an internship at a business that is at no cost to that business, and without full-time obligation,” he said. “The intent is to get them full-time roles and give them the skills and experiences to become the best candidate for whatever open position at that company or within that industry.”
Those transitioning from the military need to have a learner’s mentality, ask questions and seek out mentors to help them on their journey. It’s also critical to find work that you are passionate about, Ottavianelli said.
He also stressed the importance of determining where you want to live and having a complete understanding of the financial ramifications of the job offers you receive.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.