August 11 - Veterans Florida

President Buz introduced John Adams, our own Rotarian who retired as a Brigadier General from the U.S. Army in September 2007 after more than 30 years of active duty service.  His final military assignment was Deputy United states Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee in Belgium.  He is now the President of Guardian Six LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-owned small business licensed in Gulf Breeze. Johns’ presentation today is on Veterans Florida. (he is on Board of Directors)

The Challenge: Matching Florida’s Employment Market with our Veterans

• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans’ unemployment rate is higher than non-Veterans of the same age group
• 2013 national unemployment statistics (18-24 years)
    * Veterans 24 - 32:           21.4% unemployment
    * Non-Veterans 24 - 32:   14.3% unemployment
• Veterans have different life experiences than non-Veterans
    * Veterans spend their first few years after high school in the military, while  non-Veterans enter the civilian job market
    * Veterans often need education and training to match the market
    * Veterans often need to gain entrepreneurial skills

Veterans are not a "problem” to solve – they can grow Florida’s economy!

• Florida businesses need skilled employees with a strong work ethic
• Veterans have unique skills – especially for the defense sector
• Florida’s sustainable economic growth depends on small businesses
• Veterans have leadership skills and initiative – critical for entrepreneurs

Connecting Veterans with Jobs – Why Hire Veterans?

• Proven leadership
• Mission focus
• Team players
• Strong work ethic
• Training & education
• Immediate contributors
• Background checks & security clearances
• Government-paid relocation assistance
• Tax credits / incentives for businesses to hire Vets

Veterans Florida Mission

• Attract and retain Veterans and their families by connecting them to employment, training, and educational opportunities
• Strengthen Florida businesses by:
    * Educating them on the value and skillsets of Veterans
    * Provide training resources for their Veteran hires
• Enhance the entrepreneurial skills of Veterans
• Leverage Veterans’ Skills & Leadership to Grow Florida’s Economy!

Leverage – Not Duplicate – Existing State, Private, and Veteran Service Organizations

• Florida’s GI Bill legislation mandates five stakeholders:
    * Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
    * Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
    * Visit Florida
    * Career Source Florida
    * Enterprise Florida
• Other Organizations
    * Complete Florida
    * Veterans’ Service Organizations
• Industry!

 Current Projects

• Business Research
    * Focus groups conducted with hiring managers throughout the State: Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami
    *1,623 internet/phone surveys conducted throughout different regions.
    * General Findings:
        - Open to seeking out veterans, but don’t necessarily do so now or know where to look
        - Not sure how skills fit into their workforce
        - Training and hiring incentives would help veterans enter their workforce
• Veterans’ Research
    * Focus groups conducted in Columbus, GA, Norfolk, VA, San Antonio, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, and San Diego, CA
    * 1,500 internet surveys conducted throughout the nation
    * General Findings:
         - Open to considering Florida
         - Want assistance with resume, interview prep
         - Not sure how skills fit into civilian workforce
         - Not sure where to go to get all the info/services they need
  Marketing Campaign
    * New website launched: veteransflorida.org
    * Connect Veterans to employers, career and entrepreneurial resources, and services
    * Provide businesses the benefits of hiring veterans and grant information
    * Nationwide Marketing Campaign to be launched in the Fall of 2015 with VISIT Florida

 Our Grant Programs

•  Entrepreneurship Program
    * One million dollars appropriated by the State for entrepreneurial programs within the State university system
    * Programs must  include activities such as peer-to-peer learning sessions, mentoring, technical assistance, business roundtables, networking opportunities, support of student organizations, speaker series, or other tools within a virtual environment
    * Anticipated launch for the end of August 2015
• Business Training Grants
    * Businesses eligible for up to $8,000 per Veteran for 50% of training costs
    * May use for new employees
    * Florida targeted industries considered first
    * Anticipated launch for September 2015

 Veterans Florida (conclusion)

• Make Florida the most Veteran-friendly state in the nation
• Attract Veterans to Florida and connect them with jobs
• Grow Florida’s economy with the power of Veteran employees and entrepreneurs
• Veterans are the Solution!

Contact:
John Adams, BG USA (Ret), Member, Veterans Florida Board of Directors
Adams@VeteransFlorida.org

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