July/August - 11

AIRPORT GURU
strengthen their efforts to attract and
retain new and qualified employees.
While some companies consider
aviation experience a prerequisite, it
is equally important to consider how
military experience enables veterans
to develop the skills, leadership, discipline
and teamwork needed to join
the airport's diverse workforce, on the
ground or in the air.
Airport employers should not limit
their search to pilots or aircraft maintenance
technicians. Hiring transitioning
service members for successful
careers as aircraft mechanics, avionics
and line service technicians, customer
service representatives and other
airport occupations is critical for the
future success of the global business
aviation industry.
Businesses that hire veterans have
a valuable opportunity to hire individuals
who can learn quickly, think
independently, adapt to a rapidly
changing environment and provide
exceptional customer service. Many
of the standards and processes learned
in the military also transfer well to the
civilian aviation industry.
In addition, one of the most valuable
qualifications that a transitioning
service member can offer a prospective
employer is active security
clearance. Veterans have a significant
advantage over noncleared candidates
because the security clearance
process is a typically long and expensive
process - taking months or even
years to complete.
It is also important for airport businesses
to know that competition for
military talent extends beyond general
aviation to other industries that value
veterans' unique skill sets and abilities.
As a result, aviation and non-aviation
related businesses alike are utilizing
military transition programs and
incentives to attract candidates.
Some companies are even networking
with military bases
to
connect service members with
employers during their last 180 days
of service for on-the-job training,
apprenticeships and internships. The
Department of Defense's SkillBridge
program allows service members to
gain valuable civilian work experience
- connecting them with industry
partners in real-world job experiences.
For participating industry partners
and businesses, SkillBridge is
an opportunity to access and leverage
the world's most highly trained
and motivated workforce at no cost.
Participating service members receive
their military compensation and benefits,
while industry partners and businesses
provide the training and work
experience.
In today's competitive market,
what can airport businesses do to
recruit veterans who are transitioning
to the civilian workforce?
First, employers must be prepared
to explain their company's benefits
- such as medical coverage, flexible
work schedules, retirement and
employee assistance programs - in
terms that those who are transitioning
from active-duty military service
can easily understand. The Society for
Human Resource Development also
offers these tips:
partner with military assistance
groups
* Provide training for service
members on how to apply their
skills and abilities to civilian jobs
* Create a veterans employee
resource group
* Offer a peer advisor to assist
veterans with transitioning to
the civilian workplace
* Include and recruit military
spouses
Airport businesses also should
find creative ways to recognize and
support veterans in the community.
For example, Van Nuys Airport,
located in Los Angeles' competitive
job market, recently launched a
virtual VNY Veterans Honor Wall
(www.vnyhonorwall.com) to recognize
employee veterans for their
sacrifice and service. In addition to
fostering positive employee engagement,
the website serves as a tool for
recruiting top talent and educating
the community about the airport's
diverse workforce.
Finally, it is important to show
transitioning service members how
their skills, abilities and values transTHE
LATEST FEDERAL DATA
INDICATES THAT OF THE
APPROXIMATELY 9 MILLION
VETERANS EMPLOYED ACROSS
THE U.S. ECONOMY IN 2022, 7.6%
(ABOUT 650,000) WERE IN OCCUPATIONS
DIRECTLY INVOLVING TRANSPORTATION.
* Create a welcoming environment,
such as arranging for a
job candidate to meet with
other veterans who are part of
your team
* Train human resources and hiring
managers to understand military
resumes, job titles and language
* Visit local military bases and
late into their new roles in business
aviation. Many veterans are seeking
employment with companies that
represent their core values. Those
who have served our country in
uniform are especially attracted to
organizations with a culture of integrity,
teamwork, leadership and ability
to achieve. 
JULY/AUGUST 2023 \ AVIATIONPROS.COM / 11
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July/August

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