Des Plaines Chamber's Back-to-Work Boot Camp now open to military spouses
Since its inception in 2017, the Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp created and administered by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry has provided the training, equipment and networking opportunities for more than 150 former military members to successfully transition into career positions in civilian employment.
"Americans owe their thanks to the brave service people who have worked so hard for the betterment and safety of this country," said Des Plaines Chamber executive director Andrea Biwer. "The Back-to-Work Boot Camp is one way we help service people transition to civilian success."
The 2023 Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp application process has just opened online at www.dpchamber.com. New this year, in addition to committing to help former military personnel with their civilian job search, the Des Plaines Chamber and its program sponsors will be offering assistance to the spouses of active-duty service people who are stationed in the Chicago area.
"Spouses are important in any family, and of course play a vital role in military families. In many ways the spouses of service people are making sacrifices as great as their partner - just in different ways," said Biwer.
Biwer's brainchild, the veterans employment program was born out of her desire to make sure the Des Plaines business community is giving proper respect and assistance to those who sacrifice for the nation. And although the training takes place in Des Plaines, participants don't have to be residents of the community.
"We help people from all over, and this year, we will be including spouses of active-duty service people in the Back-to-Work Boot Camp. We want to help these remarkable men and women get the employment then need to stay vital while their family is stationed here," offers Biwer.
The Back-to-Work Boot Camp has already made a major impact in helping veterans earn a place in civilian careers. Adding spouses of active-duty military is a natural way to increase the reach and impact of the program.
Sponsors for the 2023 veterans and active-duty spouses employment program include Rivers Casino, American Legion Post 36, Harper College, Oakton College, Daily Herald Media Group, Journal & Topics Media Group, Planet Fitness, Home Depot, Foxtail on the Lake Restaurant, and the Jessica and Timothy Canning Charitable Fund.
"Military spouses often face unique challenges and sacrifices due to the frequent relocations and deployments of their partners. Including them in the program acknowledges and honors their sacrifices while providing them with valuable opportunities to re-enter the workforce and find meaningful employment," said Marne Deithorn, vice president of human resources at Rivers Casino. Deithorn is both a veteran and a military spouse.
Back-to-Work Boot Camp participants will receive aid packages worth more than $10,000, including professional mentoring, advanced skills development, expert networking training, and a new laptop and software package.
The Des Plaines Chamber's Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp has been so successful that other chambers and organizations around the country have made inquiries about licensing the program to bring it to their communities.
"Helping people is a universal concept. That's what the Veterans Boot Camp is for - to help people. And, the impact has been incredible," said Biwer. "If we can help other chambers and civic organizations establish similar training programs, the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry wants to do that."
Following the 10-week training program, a career fair will be held at the Des Plaines Public Library. The event is open to all jobseekers, however there will be a private reception for all veterans and their families one hour before the show opens to the public. These special job fairs have historically led to employment for an impressive number of job applicants.
Applications for the 2023 Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp and additional information on the program and culminating career fair are available on the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry interactive website at www.dpchamber.com.