Program seeks to find jobs for military spouses
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD -- The current unemployment rate is just more than 8 percent, but for military spouses, it's closer to 26 percent.
National figures show 85 percent of them want or need to work, and of those, 84 percent have some college behind them.
"I'm looking for stuff in HR or inventory, purchasing, management, things like that," said Suzanne Jordan.
These job applicants have a certain set of skills, and spending time in a military environment gives them a certain set of work ethics.
"Just high integrity, definitely that motivation, determination," said Christy Schmidt, Comcast employer.
So why is the unemployment rate among military spouses so high? Many of the spouses are highly qualified, but they have one challenge nobody else has: It's likely they're going to move in three years.
"It is kind of hard because we do move a lot," said military spouse Sabrina Jones.
And it's not just wives, 5 percent of military spouses are men.
"It's really tough because if you say 'Only I'm only going to be here for three months or 6 months,' they go, 'Well I don't want to hire you,' and the door is shut in your face," said Odell Pearson.
"It's very hard because then you have gaps in your employment or short-term employment times," she said. "You have 2-3 years experience and then you move."
And even when military spouses get a job, figures show that they usually have to take a 42-percent drop in pay from their old job because they're starting at or near the bottom of their new job.
So the National Chamber has brought employers together who can handle job seekers who may have to pick up and move.
"And we have centers all over the nation, so a lot of them are able to transfer to Comcast centers in Virginia or Georgia or Texas or places like that," said Ade Ajayi with Comcast.
The program is called Hiring our Heroes. Many of their spouses are deployed, and this is an effort to help on the home front.
National figures show 85 percent of them want or need to work, and of those, 84 percent have some college behind them.
"I'm looking for stuff in HR or inventory, purchasing, management, things like that," said Suzanne Jordan.
These job applicants have a certain set of skills, and spending time in a military environment gives them a certain set of work ethics.
"Just high integrity, definitely that motivation, determination," said Christy Schmidt, Comcast employer.
So why is the unemployment rate among military spouses so high? Many of the spouses are highly qualified, but they have one challenge nobody else has: It's likely they're going to move in three years.
"It is kind of hard because we do move a lot," said military spouse Sabrina Jones.
And it's not just wives, 5 percent of military spouses are men.
"It's really tough because if you say 'Only I'm only going to be here for three months or 6 months,' they go, 'Well I don't want to hire you,' and the door is shut in your face," said Odell Pearson.
"It's very hard because then you have gaps in your employment or short-term employment times," she said. "You have 2-3 years experience and then you move."
And even when military spouses get a job, figures show that they usually have to take a 42-percent drop in pay from their old job because they're starting at or near the bottom of their new job.
So the National Chamber has brought employers together who can handle job seekers who may have to pick up and move.
"And we have centers all over the nation, so a lot of them are able to transfer to Comcast centers in Virginia or Georgia or Texas or places like that," said Ade Ajayi with Comcast.
The program is called Hiring our Heroes. Many of their spouses are deployed, and this is an effort to help on the home front.
My sister currently works on base for the NCO club, she's losing her job because they're going to contract out to private business. She's not moving anywhere, already had a job there for 20+ years and is now facing unemployment.Â
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The bases are privatizing everything. Why not have the spouses working on base where obviously they understand people coming and going all the time?
 More "help" for the protected government class.
When you are a veteran and unemployed the rate is 100%. Not knocking the program, it is needed. I just don't believe the statistics. The actual rate is much higher than 8%.
 @avi8tor I would think that with the TANF and Disability enrollments along with those that have just given up, know a couple of those, the numbers would be more realistically be upwards 15%.