Hiring event at Fort Cavazos connects employers, job seekers
From Hiring event at Fort Cavazos connects employers, job seekers | Article | The United States Army
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The month of November started off productive with the annual Red, White and You Career Fair Nov. 1 at the Lone Star Conference Center at Fort Cavazos. The Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Solutions of Central Texas and the Texas Medical Center collaborated with the Fort Cavazos Transition Assistance Program to organize the event. The event is one of three major career fairs held annually at Fort Cavazos to connect transitioning service members, military spouses, veterans and family members with hundreds of employers waiting to put service members’ unique skill sets to work for their respective companies. Col. Lakicia Stokes, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander, welcomed employers and anxious job seekers. “This joint hiring event with team Cavazos and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas is one way that we improve the quality of life for our transitioning Soldiers, veterans and families,” she began. “This event plays a crucial role in helping Soldiers, veterans and families transition to civilian life successfully by connecting them with employment opportunities, resources and support, while also recognizing their contributions to the community and the nation. This is all about taking care of people.” Almost two-hundred employers in a variety of career fields set up tables throughout the venue and spoke to a steady stream of interested parties about what their organizations offered and the types of positions available. Jerry Hernandez, marketing manager for the Fort Cavazos TAP, explained that events like this are vital to help transitioning service members prepare for civilian life. “What Soldiers need to understand when they get out of the military … right now they get their basic pay, they get their BAQ (Basic Allowance for Quarters), they get the medical and housing all paid for,” he explained. “When they get out to civilian life, that’s no longer covered. So, now they have to pay their medical, their housing, all that good stuff.” Hernandez added that connecting Soldiers with hundreds of employers under one roof makes it a lot more convenient to find their next careers. “It’s much easier,” he said. “Soldiers working on Fort Cavazos don’t have to go outside the installation or get transportation. So, that’s why we do it.” Spc. Shakera King, 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, said she appreciated being able to connect with numerous employers in one venue. “Events like this help us. It’s during the workday, our jobs know that this is where we have to go, and we can meet all these people at one time. You can meet everybody at once, so that is really, really great.” Representatives from “The HOP” were on hand to talk to potential hires about positions as bus drivers on Fort Cavazos. The organization will start micro transit services on post and is hiring Soldiers, veterans and military family members to fill approximately 50 part-time driving positions at $18 hourly, starting in February 2024. “The base was kind enough to find us a home here, which will be based out of Fort Cavazos for all of our Fort Cavazos transit needs,” said Derek Czapnik, transportation superintendent for the HOP. “This is going to be a game changer,” he said. “This is going to give the quality of life to a lot of one car families or single Soldiers or anybody that doesn’t want to drive. It’s going to be just a wonderful addition to the community.” If interested, apply online at TAKETHEHOP.com.
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The month of November started off productive with the annual Red, White and You Career Fair Nov. 1 at the Lone Star Conference Center at Fort Cavazos. The Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Solutions of Central Texas and the Texas Medical Center collaborated with the Fort Cavazos Transition Assistance Program to organize the event. The event is one of three major career fairs held annually at Fort Cavazos to connect transitioning service members, military spouses, veterans and family members with hundreds of employers waiting to put service members’ unique skill sets to work for their respective companies. Col. Lakicia Stokes, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander, welcomed employers and anxious job seekers. “This joint hiring event with team Cavazos and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas is one way that we improve the quality of life for our transitioning Soldiers, veterans and families,” she began. “This event plays a crucial role in helping Soldiers, veterans and families transition to civilian life successfully by connecting them with employment opportunities, resources and support, while also recognizing their contributions to the community and the nation. This is all about taking care of people.” Almost two-hundred employers in a variety of career fields set up tables throughout the venue and spoke to a steady stream of interested parties about what their organizations offered and the types of positions available. Jerry Hernandez, marketing manager for the Fort Cavazos TAP, explained that events like this are vital to help transitioning service members prepare for civilian life. “What Soldiers need to understand when they get out of the military … right now they get their basic pay, they get their BAQ (Basic Allowance for Quarters), they get the medical and housing all paid for,” he explained. “When they get out to civilian life, that’s no longer covered. So, now they have to pay their medical, their housing, all that good stuff.” Hernandez added that connecting Soldiers with hundreds of employers under one roof makes it a lot more convenient to find their next careers. “It’s much easier,” he said. “Soldiers working on Fort Cavazos don’t have to go outside the installation or get transportation. So, that’s why we do it.” Spc. Shakera King, 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, said she appreciated being able to connect with numerous employers in one venue. “Events like this help us. It’s during the workday, our jobs know that this is where we have to go, and we can meet all these people at one time. You can meet everybody at once, so that is really, really great.” Representatives from “The HOP” were on hand to talk to potential hires about positions as bus drivers on Fort Cavazos. The organization will start micro transit services on post and is hiring Soldiers, veterans and military family members to fill approximately 50 part-time driving positions at $18 hourly, starting in February 2024. “The base was kind enough to find us a home here, which will be based out of Fort Cavazos for all of our Fort Cavazos transit needs,” said Derek Czapnik, transportation superintendent for the HOP. “This is going to be a game changer,” he said. “This is going to give the quality of life to a lot of one car families or single Soldiers or anybody that doesn’t want to drive. It’s going to be just a wonderful addition to the community.” If interested, apply online at TAKETHEHOP.com.
