New career program for military spouses being offered at NAS Jax

"NAS Jacksonville is very fortunate to be selected as one of only 18 military installations throughout the world to be a test site for the new Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative, which is a joint initiative between the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor," said Scorby. "This is a fantastic opportunity for our military spouses to receive funding that will make it possible for eligible candidates to receive career advancement accounts in the amount of $3,000 for one year, and renewable a second year for an additional $3,000. The money can be used to pay for expenses related to postsecondary education and training to include tuition, books, equipment, and credentialing and licensing fees in nationally identified high-growth, portable career fields such as education, health care, information technology, construction trades and financial services."

The program was created by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Labor to help spouses begin and continue to advance in a career field which can sometimes be challenging due to the frequent moves required of military families. "Our military spouses have a historic unemployment rate that is three times higher than that of their civilian counterparts, while nearly 77 percent of them report that they want or need to work," Scorby continued. "This program will be a great start in closing that unemployment gap."

While military spouse unemployment greatly affects the well being of military families, many are finding the cost of continuing their education is also unaffordable to obtain better paying jobs.

"There's no doubt our Sailors and Marines and their families make incredible sacrifices, but family income should not be one of those sacrifices. Unfortunately, a set of orders often means a job resignation and the loss of half of the family's income. That is why this program is so important," stated Dr. Jonathan Woods, director of the NAS Jax Navy College Office. "For qualifying spouses it provides funding to attain a degree or job skills that lead to high probability re-employment wherever the family is transferred to."

The new program is specifically targeted to military spouses with a high school diploma or GED and/or some level of post secondary education. To be eligible for a career advancement account, spouses of military service members/sponsors must:

o Be married to a service member/sponsor on active duty;

o Be married to a service member/sponsor at the E-1 through E-5 levels or O-1 through O-3 levels;

o Be married to a service member/sponsor who is assigned to a demonstration site or reside in the state at the time of eligibility determination when the service member/sponsor spouse is deployed or on an unaccompanied military tour from a demonstration site;

o Be married to a service member/sponsor with a minimum of one year remaining at the demonstration installation duty assignment; with the exception of duty assignments that will require relocation as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005;

o Not be receiving trade adjustment assistance or Workforce Investment Act funded individual training accounts.

Implementation of the new program is set for January 2008. NAS Jax is currently creating a one-stop career center to help military spouses get these new benefits. "This is truly a collaborative project. The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and Navy College Office are working hand-in-hand with WorkSource, a non-profit firm serving the North Florida region as the Department of Labor's Florida representative. One-stop information and in-processing of qualified applicants will take place with WorkSource and the FFSC. Educational planning is accomplished collaboratively between WorkSource and Navy College Office and NAS Jax command approval will be accomplished through the coordination of all three entities," explained Woods. "If demand for the program exceeds current space capacity, a plan is already in place to move the entire operation into spaces in the Navy College Office in Building 110."

According to FFSC Director Carolyn McCorvey, FFSC will assist spouses with the initial application process as well as ongoing navigation through the matriculation of the program. "We already have a Family Employment Readiness Program in place which has many of the resources spouses will need in making career choices before and after the completion of their career choices within the CAA program," said McCorvey. "NAS Jax will be the recipients of the re-homeporting of military spouses from NAS Brunswick, Maine to NAS Jacksonville beginning as early as fiscal year 2008 and both centers, FFSC Brunswick and FFSC Jacksonville have already begun transitional plans to ensure a smooth transition for spouses enrolled in the CAA program prior to their arrival at NAS Jax."

"If you think you might be eligible, or have questions about your eligibility, please contact us at the One-Stop Career Center located within the FFSC in Building 554," she added. Other services to be offered include career counseling, interest and aptitude testing, skill assessments and career guidance. Spouses may also receive referrals to supportive services such as child care and transportation assistance.

For more information on the new program, go to www.MILSpouse.org or call Gary Macik at 542-2766.