Charlotte’s Veterans Forge New Paths to Employment Despite Challenges

Charlotte’s Veterans: Navigating the Job Market with Resilience

In the lively city of Charlotte, North Carolina, there’s a significant focus on helping our nation’s heroes—specifically, the nearly 5 million veterans with service-connected disabilities—transition smoothly into the civilian workforce. While the unemployment rates for veterans are low, standing at 2.8% for all veterans and 5.9% for those with disabilities, making meaningful job connections can still pose a challenge.

Creating Pathways to Employment

One person on the front lines of this important mission is Walter Gillespie, a retired Navy veteran whose journey spans over three decades of military service. Now working as a veterans employer liaison for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Gillespie collaborates with local teams, including the Charlotte Works office, to assist disabled veterans in finding meaningful employment.

With his wealth of experience transitioning from military to civilian life, Gillespie knows firsthand the obstacles many veterans face. “I work with employers to help them hire more disabled veterans,” he explains. His team operates out of the NC Works Career Center, where they focus on three key areas to assist those seeking work.

What is a Qualified Employment Barrier?

Gillespie describes that a “qualified employment barrier” includes a variety of circumstances. From justice involvement and housing issues to recent service separation and prolonged unemployment, many factors can prevent veterans from securing a job. “We want to get as many veterans hired as possible,” he emphasizes.

Employers and Veterans: Building a Bridge

Often, employers are very receptive to hiring veterans, especially when they already have veterans on their teams who understand the unique strengths that military personnel bring. Gillespie notes, “They realize that a veteran is someone who works well in a team setting, possessing managerial or supervisory skills from their military background.” He shares details about the Veterans Medallion Program, which offers accolades to employers based on the number of veterans they hire. It’s a win-win situation!

Addressing Stigma and Supporting Mental Health

The conversation surrounding veteran disabilities has evolved, particularly with greater awareness of mental health issues. Many employers are breaking the stigma attached to hiring veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health challenges. Gillespie states, “Covid taught us a lot. The more we bring light to mental health issues, the more we find ways to assist veterans in the workplace.” This shift indicates that companies are not only aware of these issues but are also implementing programs to support mental health and wellbeing for all their employees, veterans included.

How Gillespie’s Team Helps Veterans

When veterans come seeking help, Gillespie’s team focuses primarily on translating military experience into civilian resume language. They offer workshops to ensure that each veteran’s skill set is effectively showcased to potential employers. It’s all about bridging that important gap! And for those looking to pivot careers—say, from a military trucking position to IT—Gillespie highlights their partnership with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, which can help cover the costs of training and certifications.

Understanding the Transition

Transitioning to civilian life can be challenging. For many veterans, adjusting from a structured military environment to the often unpredictable civilian workforce requires patience and adaptability. Gillespie recalls his experience, stating, “It took me a minute to realize that these folks didn’t go through what I went through.” Establishing understanding on both sides is key to fostering a supportive work environment.

Retention: The Next Challenge

Many employers find that hiring veterans is just part of the equation; retaining them is the next big challenge. Gillespie points out that frustration sometimes plays a role. When veterans find that the job isn’t what they expected, it can lead to turnover. He advocates for employers to create a workplace that engages and supports new veteran hires, encouraging connections between veteran employees to nurture a sense of belonging.

Connecting Veterans with Employers

At the end of the day, providing veterans with the tools to succeed in the job market is what this initiative is all about. The city of Charlotte has shown great promise in supporting job-seeking veterans, offering platforms where experiences can be shared and connections made. “I think that’s a great idea,” Gillespie reflects, referring to the local city events that link veterans together. This sense of community plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our veterans not only find jobs but feel a genuine connection to their new workplaces.

As Charlotte continues to pave the way for its heroes, the efforts made by folks like Walter Gillespie and his team are invaluable. There’s no doubt that by working together, we can help our veterans thrive in this next chapter of their lives.