Program to help veterans find careers returning to Des Plaines

A program to help military veterans gain the tools necessary to transition into the civilian job force is returning to the Northwest suburbs for a second year.

The "Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp" sponsored by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry is accepting applications for the 10-week program with workshops on career exploration, computer skills, social media, resume writing, company tours and more.

Veterans who complete the educational program receive career-enhancing package worth $8,000, including a personal laptop, gift cards for workplace attire, a personalized resume package, a $500 Jewel-Osco gift card, a one-year car maintenance package and career counseling and mentorship.

"We know these veterans acquired many skills during their service, but for too many, connecting to the right opportunity to match their skill sets is very difficult," Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andrea Biwer said in a news release. "Our hope is that the Veterans Boot Camp helps to support their transition into civilian jobs."

The program has been funded by a grant from Rivers Casino, as well as contributions from Jewel-Osco, Wintrust Mortgage, VFW Post 2992 and other community businesses and organizations.

Navy veteran Nicholas Canete completed the program a year ago, and as a result, he was hired by LSG Sky Chefs.

"By networking with other veterans working in different industries and receiving tangible resources for the job search, the program guided me to finding meaningful employment," Canete said. "I completed the program with more confidence and felt trained to smartly engage in my career search."

Twenty candidates will be selected. The program is accepting veterans who have their DD214 papers and were honorably discharged. Veterans may register by filling out the application at www.surveymonkey.com/r/VETERAN2018.