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Program offers services for SC military members seeking jobs

  • Published
  • By Michael Dukes
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  A new statewide initiative called Operation Palmetto Employment was created to help reduce the unemployment rate among South Carolina's military community and to educate South Carolina employers on the value of military hires.

Officials with OPE said one the initiative's goals is to streamline the employment process, reducing duplicated efforts of multiple agencies and service providers to increase efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

The program uses several tools to help find quality jobs for South Carolina military members often in civilian positions comparable to various military specialties. For example, A reservist who is a jet mechanic in uniform might be a good fit for a similar job at Boeing or another aircraft-related company.

Many of these efforts will take place through the OPE website, www.operationpalmettoemployment.sc.gov, which is a one-stop employment resource for military job seekers (including active duty, retired, spouses and immediate family members of all branches of service) and employers who hire them.

Veteran service teams, compromised of representatives from various organizations including South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, S.C. National Guard, S.C. Department of Social Services, and Veteran Affairs, are organized into regions to quickly connect military job seekers with resources and employers looking to hire.

What job seekers can do now
  • Visit www.OperationPalmettoEmployment.sc.gov and register as a military job seeker or military-friendly employer. Encourage relevant service members, friends and colleagues to do the same.
     
  • Contact your local employment advisor to start an individual case management process.
     
  • Search jobs within South Carolina and beyond.
     
  • Browse the Job Seekers Toolkit and OPE Blog for tools and advice to help in your job search.
     
  • Check the job fair calendar for hiring events statewide.
     
  • Follow OPE on Facebook and Twitter (@OPEJobs) for recent news, tips and announcements.
To learn more about Operation Palmetto Employment and how to get involved as a military job seeker, military-friendly employer, educator or service provider, contact Kyle Caldwell at (803) 299-1639 or kyle.r.caldwell2.mil@mail.mil, or Marlin Bodison at (803) 737-9936 or marlin.bodison@dew.sc.gov .

(Information provided by Operation Palmetto Employment.)