Vet Connect Employer Coalition (VCEC)
The degree of success of each individual Veteran upon their separation from active duty in re-acclimating to civilian life is a direct reflection of the collective value placed on them and their experience by our entire community.
The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and an emerging group of local employers in the Albuquerque region have gathered to form a coalition—the Albuquerque Vet Connect Employer Coalition (ABQ VCEC)—to discuss best practices in recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans and their families in an effort to make Albuquerque a leading destination for military connected families to relocate after transitioning from military service.
ABQ VCEC members have gathered to collaborate and share the value of military talent in the workplace; recruiting, hiring, and retaining that talent; supporting and developing talent; and the role of higher education as a ready-made talent pipeline.
Today, the ABQ VCEC is at a critical juncture to further solidify Albuquerque’s efforts to welcome and retain transitioning service member, veterans, and their families into their collective workforces.
ABQ VCEC members have gathered to collaborate and share the value of military talent in the workplace; recruiting, hiring, and retaining that talent; supporting and developing talent; and the role of higher education as a ready-made talent pipeline.
Today, the ABQ VCEC is at a critical juncture to further solidify Albuquerque’s efforts to welcome and retain transitioning service member, veterans, and their families into their collective workforces.
Bringing the ABQ VCEC to reality here in New Mexico addresses a growing national need and perception among veterans that community providers and employers are unresponsive, disrespectful, and lack understanding of the nuances of military culture.
The Need & Opportunity
Participating ABQ VCEC member companies have military employment initiatives in various forms and stages and have expressed interest and need in continuing to develop their initiatives and strengthening their military talent pipelines.
A majority of members place value in the establishment and sustainment of the ABQ VCEC activities in a
more formal collaborative with local leadership.
There is a clear opportunity to build upon the momentum and interest among ABQ VCEC members to sustain these activities to solidify Albuquerque’s efforts to welcome and retain transitioning service members, veterans, and their families into the community.
A majority of members place value in the establishment and sustainment of the ABQ VCEC activities in a
more formal collaborative with local leadership.
There is a clear opportunity to build upon the momentum and interest among ABQ VCEC members to sustain these activities to solidify Albuquerque’s efforts to welcome and retain transitioning service members, veterans, and their families into the community.
The Advantage
VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES
Ease of employment navigation
Local corporate community understanding of the obstacles associated with military transition
Confidence local employer understands the unique skill set the veteran or family member has to offer
ABQ VCEC MEMBER
Toolkit designed to provide navigation and best practices in hiring from military-connected talent pool
Engagement opportunities with O2O, the IVMF’s local veteran career skills training and placement program
Continued assessment and insight into the veteran community through measurement and evaluation in veteran hiring practices
ABQ VCEC LEADERSHIP
Set the leading example of best hiring veteran practices in Albuquerque and nationwide Ability to guide and govern all ABQ VCEC activities and objectives
Appropriate stewardship through various Hispano Chamber of Commerce traditional/social media outlets
Donor recognition at Hispano Chamber of Commerce functions/events
Ease of employment navigation
Local corporate community understanding of the obstacles associated with military transition
Confidence local employer understands the unique skill set the veteran or family member has to offer
ABQ VCEC MEMBER
Toolkit designed to provide navigation and best practices in hiring from military-connected talent pool
Engagement opportunities with O2O, the IVMF’s local veteran career skills training and placement program
Continued assessment and insight into the veteran community through measurement and evaluation in veteran hiring practices
ABQ VCEC LEADERSHIP
Set the leading example of best hiring veteran practices in Albuquerque and nationwide Ability to guide and govern all ABQ VCEC activities and objectives
Appropriate stewardship through various Hispano Chamber of Commerce traditional/social media outlets
Donor recognition at Hispano Chamber of Commerce functions/events
Framework
THE ADVANTAGE PHASE I: DEVELOPMENT
(Oct. 2019–Sept. 2020)
Quarterly in-person/virtual activities led by the Hispano Chamber of Commerce supported by the Institute for Veterans
and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University together
with local employer partners for thoughtful and strategic discussion around recruiting and retaining veterans for the workforce.
PHASE II: RECOMMENDATIONS, REPORTS, AND OUTCOMES
(Oct. 2020–Sept. 2021)
Identify best practices, formalize, and develop into a toolkit for current and future participating employers and development of a sustainability plan through the ABQ VCEC to be sourced and sustained locally by Albuquerque employers.
PHASE III: ABQ VCEC SUSTAINMENT
(Oct. 2021–Sept. 2022)
ABQ VCEC will be sustained by local Albuquerque employers. The IVMF will continue to function in an advisory capacity to the Coalition and Steering Committee and serve as an evaluator of the project. IVMF will also assist employer engagement and networking opportunities with the Onward to Opportunity career training program (O2O).
(Oct. 2019–Sept. 2020)
Quarterly in-person/virtual activities led by the Hispano Chamber of Commerce supported by the Institute for Veterans
and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University together
with local employer partners for thoughtful and strategic discussion around recruiting and retaining veterans for the workforce.
PHASE II: RECOMMENDATIONS, REPORTS, AND OUTCOMES
(Oct. 2020–Sept. 2021)
Identify best practices, formalize, and develop into a toolkit for current and future participating employers and development of a sustainability plan through the ABQ VCEC to be sourced and sustained locally by Albuquerque employers.
PHASE III: ABQ VCEC SUSTAINMENT
(Oct. 2021–Sept. 2022)
ABQ VCEC will be sustained by local Albuquerque employers. The IVMF will continue to function in an advisory capacity to the Coalition and Steering Committee and serve as an evaluator of the project. IVMF will also assist employer engagement and networking opportunities with the Onward to Opportunity career training program (O2O).
For more information please contact:
Tessah Latson, Director, Barelas Economic Opportunity Center Center: tessah@ahcnm.org, 505-842-9003
Tessah Latson, Director, Barelas Economic Opportunity Center Center: tessah@ahcnm.org, 505-842-9003
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