working together to connect separating service members and
TRANSCRIPT
Working Together to Connect Separating Service Members and their Spouses to Jobs –
the DOD and DOL Partnership
Department of Defense (DOD) - Department of Labor (DOL)
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
July 2004
DOD-DOL MOUPURPOSE: Promote cooperative efforts to improve military quality of
life, and to contribute to the quality of America’s labor force.
GOALS: Enhance recruitment and retention for the military
services.
Assist the transition and re-entry of military personnel into the 21st Century workforce.
Ensure that opportunities for training, education and employment are available to military spouses.
Accomplishments
• Overseas Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Workshops Expanded in 3 Countries
• Spouse Telework Employment Program Memorandum of Agreement Signed
• Military Spouse Resource Center Expanded (MilSpouse.org)
• Environmental Scans Produced: Federal & Private Programs and Literature
Accomplishments• Surveyed the Field to Identify Partnerships Between One-
Stop Career Centers & Armed Forces Family Centers
• Installed Various Links on Web Sites
• Developed a Model Working Relationship Between DOL Regional Office and Military Bases in Atlanta, GA
• Conducted Research & Analysis on Various Topics, e.g.:
– Licensing & Certification for Returning Military;
– Expanding Educational Opportunities Including E-learning;
– Explored UI Eligibility, Expanding Dislocated Worker Definition, and Extending Apprenticeship
Accomplishments
Built Expanded Relationships with Business
Partners:
- Military Spouse Virtual Assistant; Staffcentrix
- Career Accelerator Program; Adecco
- National Business Partners
(First Data, The Home Depot, Manpower, Inc.)
- President’s Hire Veterans Initiative
© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.
An Introduction to the StaffcentrixAn Introduction to the Staffcentrix
Portable Career & Virtual AssistantPortable Career & Virtual AssistantTraining Program forTraining Program forMilitary Spouses™Military Spouses™
Christine Durst, Co-Founder & CEO www.staffcentrix.com
Staffcentrix, LLC
Program Objective
To train U.S. Military Spouses to build successful businesses that are financially viable, portable, and personally gratifying, thereby helping them overcome the career obstacles they often face as a result of frequent moves and sometimes-isolated posts.
And, in the process of doing this, to assist these women and men in finding improved self-esteem, a better quality of life and greater satisfaction with the military lifestyle.
© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.
The “MSVA”
© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.
Military Spouse Virtual Assistants (MSVAs) are self-employed individuals who offer offsite support services to businesses via the Internet, phone and fax.
The virtual nature of these relationships makes them highly “portable,” since clients rarely care where their MSVA is located or how often s/he relocates as long as the quality of work is consistent.
Types of Services MSVAs Offer
Academic Writing
Graphic Design
Mailing Services
Payroll Services
Medical Transcription
Grant Proposals
Accounting Services
Nonprofit Support Services
AudioVisual Production
Graphic Scanning
General Transcription
Office Management
Live Phone Answering
Statements/Billing
Realtor Support
Collection Services
Government Procurement
Programming
HR ExpertiseBusiness Coaching
Private Investigator Support
Insurance Broker/Agent Support Paralegal ServicesPublic Relations
Phone-in Transcription
Business Plan Writing
Business Writing
Intranet Development
Import/Export Support
Competitive Research
Growth Advisory Services
Entertainment Industry Support
Technical Writing/Editing
Voice Services
Concierge Services
Database Management
Desktop Publishing
Word Processing
Editing/Proofreading
Systems Management
Multimedia Presentations
Legal Transcription
Event Planning
Voicemail for Clients
File Conversion
Marketing/Advertising
Legal "Secretarial"
Internet Research
Translating Services
Market Research
Litigation Support
Interpreting
Website Design
Fundraising
Resume Writing
Spreadsheets
"Virtual Assistants - Another name for this is virtual outsourcing. These are highly skilled and knowledgeable office professionals who provide administrative support and specialized business services from an outside location.
The industry is growing rapidly. It is expected to be a $130 billion industry by 2008, but it could be larger."
Source: Highlights from the George Washington University Forecast of Emerging Technology, Dr. William Halal, July 2000
Industry Growth ProjectionsIndustry Growth Projections
© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.
Realities & Readiness: Exploring Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment
Spouse With a Mouse: Anticipating Changes in the Household
Launching & Marketing Your Virtual Service Practice
The On-Site Program PhasesThe On-Site Program Phases
© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.
Post-Training Online SupportPost-Training Online Support
© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.
Following the on-site workshops, each graduate receives sustained online support at the Staffcentrix website for MSVAs – an Internet-based community of colleagues and experts – for as long as he or she remains an “active-duty spouse.”
• RFP Service
• Email list & Message Board
• Interaction with Staffcentrix experts
• Information & Resources
• Business Listing in Online Directory
2003 Year-End Survey Stats2003 Year-End Survey Stats
© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.
• 22% have first client within 6 weeks of training.
• 67% have at least one client within 6 months of training.
• 69% are “more likely to support spouse’s re-enlistment” as a result of the Program.
• 79% report improved QOL for their family.
• 87% indicate the service member is “very supportive” of their MSVA business.
• 89% report being “very satisfied” with their business.
2003 Work Practices & Fees2003 Work Practices & Fees
© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.
• Fees for administrative support services averaged $25-$35 per hour.
• Specialized services (i.e., programming, interpreting, technical writing, etc.) are billed at rates of more than $50/hour.
• Majority would prefer to be working in their business part-time, with most citing a goal of 20 hours per week.
• 85% indicated they are “work-at-home parents.”
Working Together to
Connect Separating Service
Members and their Spouses
to Jobs – the DOD and DOL
Partnership
Contact InformationEffie Baldwin, Department of Labor
202-693-3746, [email protected]
Jean Marie Ward, Department of Defense
703-693-8307, [email protected]
Christine C. Durst, Staffcentrix, LLC
860-974-3521, [email protected]
Erin B. Walerko, Adecco
732-676-0261, [email protected]
Connie McLendon, The Home Depot
800-654-0688 x 85538, [email protected]
T.P. O’Mahoney, President’s Hire Veterans Committee
214-673-1412, [email protected]