Connecting Beale with the Local Community

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ramon A. Adelan
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Recently, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III released his top priority – “Taking care of our service members and families.”

Beale, partnered with the local Yuba Sutter community, has proactively acted to take care of our members by hosting a career fair for Airmen, Guardians, and their families Sept. 28, in Marysville, California. This event sends forth the action the secretary has on expanding spousal employment.

“Human resource professionals from healthcare and county and city agencies were able to advertise their opening here,” said Amy Oliveri-Ash, Military and Family Resource Center community readiness consultant. “The goal is to form a relationship with Beale members, so they know what the local community has to offer.”

Military spouses often face employment challenges when they have a permanent change of station (PCS). Many go to a state where their professional credentials aren’t accepted or where employers are looking for long-term employees, not someone whose residency may change a couple years later.

“This has been a great opportunity to connect with employers and to learn how close job opportunities were to the base,” said Jessica Pope, military spouse and speech pathologist.

To further enhance employment opportunities for military spouses, Secretary Austin has directed an accelerated development of seven additional occupational licensure interstate compacts with organizations representing multiple professions, easing burdens for spouses who must transfer professional licenses or credentials with each move.

“When PCSing, I’ve had to start all over again with my career as if I was a new graduate,” Pope said. “This event has helped me erase my preconceived notions of the community and bridge that gap between the base and local employment opportunities.”

From the 2021 Active-Duty Spouse Survey, the unemployment rate for active-duty spouses who are actively seeking work is approximately 21 percent. Approximately 31 percent acquired a new license or credential in order to work after their last PCS.

“I’ve seen a lot of our military spouses have issues with licensing or certification coming into the state of California,” Oliveri-Ash said. “These healthcare agencies are willing to identify that, and not necessarily hire them without the proper licensing or certification but, maybe get them into another position until they’re relicensed or certified, so they can stay within their same career field.”

Oliveri-Ash stated, the career fair is a great opportunity for members transitioning out of the military that could possibly lead to employment or skillbridge to employment.

For additional resources and information regarding transitioning employment or spousal employment, you can visit www.MilitaryOneSource.mil http://www.militaryonesource.mil/  or contact Beale’s Military and Family Readiness Center 530-634-2863.