A Call to Action

“Thank you for your service,” are words we often hear when someone announces their service to our country, but saying thank you to a veteran never truly seems to be enough for what they and their families have sacrificed. As we have recently seen in the news, tens of thousands of veterans have returned home. The transition back to civilian life can have its challenges. A recent study by the National Academy of Sciences shows that 44% of veterans who have served in Afghanistan are having problems adjusting after their return.

Access to employment and training opportunities and restoration back into our community are the most vital for successful outcomes for our veterans. In Yavapai County, we are fortunate to have the Department of Veteran Affairs, U.S. Vets, Department of Economic Security and countless other partner organizations to provide a wide array of veterans services. Northern Arizona Council of Governments Economic Workforce Development (NACOG-EWD) and ARIZONA@WORK-Yavapai County are integral partners for Veteran services as well.

For employers, veterans are a disciplined, skilled, trained and committed labor force to see this country through the aftershocks of the pandemic. Veterans’ transferrable skills are applicable to service operations especially in law enforcement, medical/healthcare, hospitality, management and more. Job opportunities continue to rise in Yavapai County; current labor market projections expect 1.8% growth according to the Office of Economic Opportunity.

For veterans, the pandemic created a new call to action. We encourage veterans to help us by connecting with veteran service organizations at www.va.gov, www.usvets.gov, www.yavapaiatwork.com and www.arizonaatwork.com to consider employment and training opportunities to avoid continued economic injury to our business and industry in Yavapai County. Our future economy depends on a stable workforce.

Teri Drew is the executive director of the Yavapai County Workforce Development Board.

By Teri Drew