Veterans Employment Seminar - March 14

The first Veterans Employment Seminar of the year will be March 14 from 1-3 p.m.

This seminar is among several to be held for veterans in 2012. The session will be facilitated by Peter Ludlow, manager of the Newnan office of the Georgia Department of Labor.

Ludlow, along with Alan Hurd of the DOL office will be explaining the new Gold Card Veterans Preference Programs for Post-9/11 veterans that are currently available. A main concern is that post 9/11 veterans need to be aware of specific programs available to veterans through the Department of Labor.

The DOL and sponsoring veterans organizations are interested to hear the issues directly from the veterans who are facing obstacles in finding employment. Hank Berkowitz, local Veterans Service Officer for the sponsoring veterans organizations, is coordinating the seminar events.

"We are interested to hear from veterans whether the current DOL programs meet their needs," said Berkowitz.

"We recognize that Post 9/11 veterans will face the same difficulties all veterans have faced in transferring military skill sets to civilian employment and they need the guidance of trained DOL experts," Ludlow emphasized.

In addition, employers from the community will also be present to discuss their hiring procedures and what they are looking for in various skill categories. They will respond to difficulties that may be inhibiting successful employment.

"Young discharged veterans returning from the 'Sand Boxes' of Iraq and Afghanistan need to have proven programs in place and we hope this Seminar will start the process," said Berkowitz.

The seminar is hosted by Newnan's American Legion Post 57, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, Marine Corps League Detachment 1325 along with DAV Chapter 31 in LaGrange.

The March 14 seminar is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. at the Coweta Veterans Club, 130 Veterans Club Drive off U.S. Highway 29 north of the bypass and just across from A&W Nursery. (Click here for Directions to the Club)

The presentation includes opportunities for veterans to discuss job search concerns with actual local employers, current opportunities and efforts for assistance toward finding jobs in present economic conditions and Veterans Preference and Priority of Service.

Berkowitz may be reached at Hberkowitz.vso@gmail.com. For more information, calls may be made to 770-254-7220.