FORT SILL, Okla., July 21, 2016 -- Eugene Holloway understands the challenges, difficulties and frustrations military spouses may experience as they try to find employment when they relocate to new duty stations with their Soldiers.
A military spouse himself, he had begun applying for federal positions in the area as soon as he learned his wife had orders to Fort Sill. Holloway possessed a master's degree, was a certified counselor and had extensive years of work experience in the field.
Yet for over six months, he received email after email saying he didn't meet the qualifications for positions. Once the Holloways arrived at Fort Sill, it was four months before he could find work.
"It was an underpaying job, but I took it," he said. The position was as a school counselor in Oklahoma City.
Eight months ago, Holloway was hired as the Fort Sill Army Community Services Employment Readiness Program (ERP) manager.
"I've been through it, so my goal is to help military spouses get a job in 30 days," he said.
The Employment Readiness Program provides military spouses free information and referral services in employment, education, training, transition and volunteer opportunities to give them a competitive edge needed to secure employment. As the program manager, Holloway stresses an aggressive approach to job hunting with an emphasis on career development.
PARTNERSHIPS
The program is partnered with many military friendly businesses and companies in the Lawton-Fort Sill community that are looking to hire military spouses, Holloway said. Partners include Lawton Public Schools (LPS), City of Lawton, Lawton Chamber of Commerce, Academy Sports and Dick's Sporting Goods.
"We make the effort to reach out to the employers and keep track of their openings and to link them with spouses," he said. "Whenever we get teachers here, I have a contact at LPS human resources so I can make a warm hand-off."
Holloway said he understands the limitations of trying to find work in a small city like the Lawton, but found that many spouses are willing to commute to Oklahoma City.
"It's important to choose a job in your skill sets. If you need to go back to school, we can support you with that," he said. "Whatever deficits or skills you are lacking, that's where my job comes in."
WORKSHOPS
Another service the Employment Readiness Program provides is a series of workshops on the first three Thursdays of the month.
The Career Planning workshop focuses on career development and advancement. The USAJobs Federal Application workshop covers the process of applying for federal positions. The Leadership and Management workshop helps managers who are looking for work.
The 90-minute workshops are offered at the Soldier for Life Transition Campus (SFL), Bldg. 2502 Sheridan Road, from 10-11:30 a.m. Spouses can attend any or all of the workshops. Preregistration is not required.
Human resources specialists were at the federal jobs workshop July 14, explaining how the applications process works for General Schedule (GS) and Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) positions, as well as to explain military spouse preference for federal jobs. One of the presenters noted that military spouses are given preference over veterans when applying for NAF positions.
Newly arrived military spouse Maurice Truesdale was at the federal jobs workshop. He said he's dabbled in a lot of fields, such as assembly work with KIA (auto manufacturing) in Georgia, and at call centers.
"I've got experience everywhere, but I've got to narrow it to what I want to do," Truesdale said.
The staff at the Employment Readiness Program have helped him with his resumé, and he has more appointments with them.
VOLUNTEERING AT ERP
Holloway is the lone paid employee at the ERP, however, a staff of about 10 volunteers help him run the program.
He invites spouses to volunteer at the Employment Readiness Program to gain work experience as they seek employment; to refine their employment skills, such as interviewing and resumé preparation; to network with companies; and to help make the ERP a top program.
"We have volunteers with a graphic design background, HR background and school teachers not working for the summer, all who are investing in the Employment Readiness Program," Holloway said. "It's allowing them to show their skills while also allowing ERP to become a best practice program."
ACS volunteers may also qualify for free child care.
Military spouse and ERP volunteer Crystal Jones has been at Fort Sill for about eight months, and has been volunteering at the ERP about four months doing 20 hours per week.
"Volunteering has built my confidence, it has better prepared me for interviewing," said Jones, who will start working as a teacher at Lawton's Ridgecrest Elementary School Aug. 1.
She recommended volunteering at the ERP.
"Eugene will take you under his wing, and you can start volunteering with other military spouses to build your skills," she said.
The ERP staff maintains a job board and binders with over 100 current job vacancies; the listing is in Bldg. 4700, in the ACS area. Holloway also mans an ERP information table on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. at the SFL campus. Any military I.D. cardholder is eligible to use the ERP. Like all ACS programs, Employment Readiness Program packet information is available at all the Fort Sill Soldier Start Right orientations. For more information about the ACS Family Member Employment Readiness Program, call 580-442-4681.
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