Area Economic Development Groups and Workforce Agencies Hosting Military Workforce Event

Valuable Information for Business Owners, Hiring Managers, and HR Directors to be Presented

(Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor) - The Iowa City Area Development Group, Priority One, CorridorCareers.com, Iowa Workforce Development, and the Employer Council of Iowa present a day-long event for local employers, business owners and HR professionals about the value of hiring military service members.  “Operation:  Military to Civilian Transition” is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2009, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Coralville. 

The day’s events include:  an employers panel discussing successes and challenges with hiring and retaining current and retired military personnel; roundtable discussions on marketing to attract the military applicant and translating the military resume; a panel of veterans and military personnel discussing their successes and challenges seeking work in the Corridor. 

Lisa Rosser, founder of “The Value of a Veteran,” will open the event with her keynote address “It’s Not About Patriotism – Why Hiring Veterans Just Makes Good Business Sense.” 

"Over 220,000 service members complete their military obligation (due to end of contract or retirement) every single year.  Almost all of them will begin looking for a civilian job as far as a year in advance of their release date,” explains Rosser.  “Savvy employers use that 12-month lead time to reach out to the veteran, educate him/her on their company and the types of positions typically offered and promote their community as a great place to relocate." 

In the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor, there are currently 35,000 military service members, many of whom are looking for work and have skill sets area employers need. 

Rosser says most employers only reference the military skill sets they see on the news.  “The military is made up of over 7,000 job positions across more than 100 functional areas and 81% of these jobs have a direct civilian equivalent.  From healthcare, to technology, to finance, to construction, to food service and more - veterans have the skills and experience your company needs." 

Another benefit of hiring military veterans is relocation assistance provided by the government.  "Veterans leaving active duty are entitled to a 'last move' on Uncle Sam's dime, and that relocation offer is good for up to one year after separation from service,” said Rosser.  “Employers can find great candidates from within the military and save a considerable amount on relocation fees if they are aware of that benefit and make the employment offer before the service member leaves active duty." 

Local employers, business owners and HR professionals are encouraged to research these recruiting tactics before the economy rebounds.  Speakers and panelists will be available for one-on-one discussions and a special resource panel will present information on current programs in the Corridor to help businesses with their recruiting and training plans. 

Registration is available now through www.corridorcareers.com and www.iowacityareadevelopment.com.  Registration price is $40, which includes all materials, a light breakfast and lunch.  Additional registrations from the same business are discounted to $25 per person. 

Our Keynote Speaker and Presenter

Lisa Rosser is on a mission to help companies improve their recruiting and retention programs. She is a vocal advocate of hiring military service personnel to be the solution to poor fit and high turnover.  Her military career spans several decades, 3 continents, and 4 major deployments. The majority of her active military career was focused on the human side of the military - performance management, recruiting, placement, training and skills development.  She honed her Human Resources consulting skills at a Global Fortune 500 consulting firm. She now leverages that knowledge to help companies improve their recruiting and retention programs for diverse employee populations.