JB MDL teams up with chambers of commerce for Veterans Career Summit Published March 9, 2016 By Christian Deluca Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The Joint Base has teamed up with National, State and local Chambers of Commerce to host a two-day Veterans' Career Summit April 7 and 8. The summit will focus on matching up transitioning military members, recent veterans, and their family members, with potential private-sector employers. Col. Charles Kelm, 87th Mission Support Group commander, said he hopes to see around 1000 attendees meet up with 200 or more local and national companies. "We are hoping to have employers attend that are able to offer jobs on the spot, not just an interview or follow-up appointment," Kelm said. "Our measurement of success is the number of jobs taken away by transitioning service members. (Joint Base) Lewis-McChord had 212 at theirs, we're trying to match that or beat it." The summit will complement the base's Transition Assistance Program, managed by the Military and Family Support Center. TAP is a national program that helps service members and their families, transition from the military to civilian life with information, guidance and assistance. "This is all a result of the high unemployment rate we saw with our vets between the 2008 and 2011 time frame, which hovered around 11 to 12 percent," Kelm said. "It was taking six to eight months to find employment. Our goal is to shorten the time between separation and civilian employment, and to reduce the number of unemployed vets." Kelm recommends any military members or family planning on attending the summit to contact the MFSC to help prepare for the event. "They have a multitude of classes," he said. "Whether its finances or resume building or interview skills, they can prep members and their families prior to the summit so they're ready to meet with the employers." In the meantime, Kelm said they are prepping the employers to meet the attendees. "We are focusing on the employers, so they're not just veteran friendly, but veteran ready," he said. "Vets bring a different skill-set to the table. They are committed to the organization and they are passionate about their jobs. When the bell rings at five, they'll often continue to work until the jobs done." Dana Lancellotti, Ocean County Business and Tourism director, said the upcoming summit will not only give employers the opportunity to hire well-qualified employees, it also allows the attendees to see the wide variety of opportunities available in the area. "The Joint Base MDL Veterans' Career Summit is a mutually beneficial opportunity for business owners to consider the quality workforce that is available as a result of military experience," she said. "With so many highly skilled, transitioning military located right here in our region, it is critical that our local business owners get to know them, their diverse abilities, training, education and exceptional work ethic. "Furthermore, the Summit encourages heightened awareness of the opportunities that we have here in NJ which may lead to more retiring and/or transitioning military who choose to remain here in our state as they continue on to their new career path. The summit t is a win-win for all of us," she added. The base is working with the national, state and regional Chambers of Commerce, to get a broad range of potential employers to the event. National companies, such as Verizon, AT&T and Starbucks will sit next to smaller, more localized, regional companies searching for new, qualified employees. Kelm said the partnerships between the base and the chambers and local support groups have been a huge benefit in putting the event together. "We are very grateful for the support we've received from our local community, the chambers and business," he said. "The Burlington County Military Affairs Committee, the Ocean County chamber, the Southern Ocean County chamber, along with the U.S and state chambers and others, have been truly supportive with talking to potential employers and helping to get this event off the ground. "At the end of the day this is about our service members and families, and giving them opportunities, he added. "So whatever we can do for them, I'm very excited and grateful to do." The event will be held at building 3370 Wonnacott Rd. for more information, contact the MFSC at (609) 754-3154.