Non-profit offers transition classes for veterans

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A local non-profit will hold a career transition class this week for veterans looking to make the transition into the job market.

Operation: Job Ready Veterans hosts week-long career classes all year long, but this week marks the first time the week is focused solely on post 9/11 veterans.

“Everyone that comes through the class is in transition. It’s very evident on day one, some of them think they know what they want to do. On day five, they realize I’ve got incredible skills,” said Tony Cross, CEO of Operation: Job Ready Veterans.

“This is the first time we’ve focused [a class] only on post-9/11 veterans. Post 9/11, a lot of them went in, because quite frankly, America was attacked. They want to give back. So they gave back, some of them stay for four years, six years, twenty years, they end up doing several tours in some cases,” explained Cross.

The economy is not what it was 10 years ago, he says, and veterans are not always aware of the changes.

“When they come back, you can obviously see where there’s going to be a disconnection. Ten years have shown the economy has changed, businesses have changed, our approach to hiring has changed. It used to be 10 years ago, there’s one interview. Today it’s not uncommon to interview three or four times, and oh by the way, you might meet with ten people rather than one. The challenges are many,” said Cross.

Operation: Job Ready Veterans received a $5,000 grant from the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes to enable this particular class. It starts Monday morning and runs through Friday.

Their classes and services are for all veterans, spouses, and caregivers.

If you would like more information on this non-profit, click here.