Photo by Zayra Ramos-Ortiz.
CLEVELAND, – Northeast Ohio businesses and non-profits stepped up to learn how to apply for a new “Military Friendly Employer” designation from NEOVETS (Northeast Ohio Veterans) during a free, all-day workshop at the Holiday Inn-Independence Tuesday.
Seventy representatives attended the event, where the ultimate goal of NEOVETS was to help bridge the gap between veterans and their families seeking employment and education upon return to the area following their service, and local businesses looking for the right talent. Currently, more than 160,000 working-age veterans reside in Northeast Ohio, a number that continues to grow – it’s an untapped talent pool NEOVETS wants to retain in the region, along with local Reservists, National Guard members, and military spouses. The “MFE” badge is one of the first programs of its kind in the nation.
“Every time veterans see this logo, they’ll know that this company has been vetted by their peers,” said Bryan A. McGown, chair, Awareness Committee of the NEO Veterans Strategy Initiative and a retired gunnery sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps.
The conference agenda included understanding military rank, structure, benefits and terms; the Guard and Reserve; screening vets for interviews; and a keynote address on “Bridging the Gap” by Suzanne Stratford of Fox 8 News Cleveland and her husband, Tim Colburn, both veterans. At the final session, attendees learned what criteria companies need to meet to earn the “MFE” designation and how to apply for it. They also earned the honor from NEOVETS of being the first class of “MFE” applicants.
Ohio is becoming a national leader in services and resources for veterans and their families, according to Richard DeChant, executive director of Veteran Programs & Services, Cuyahoga Community College, who gave the closing remarks. Wendy Matthews, leader for the NEO Veterans Strategy Initiative, added, “We think veterans and their families are the key to drive the economic engine of Northeast Ohio. Current veteran employment resources don’t always work well because the users are on their own and rarely is a live person available to help. NEOVETS aims to successfully connect veterans and employers.”
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