Force shaping brings new resources Published June 25, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Sam Fogleman 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The daunting challenge of force shaping has brought Fairchild a fortunate asset. In partnership with the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council and WorkSource Spokane, FAFB will gain two full-time career guidance counselors on base this July in conjunction with the 92nd Force Support Squadron. WorkSource is a resource for connecting jobseekers with interested potential employers. "Annually, WorkSource Spokane provides employment and training services to approximately 30,000 individuals in Spokane County," said Dawn Karber, the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council chief operating officer. "Individuals seek assistance from WorkSource to improve their skills, to learn how to be competitive in the local labor market, and to make direct connections with area employers. We are especially interested in keeping talented job seekers in our region and connecting them with employers in need of their skills." The new service comes at a minimal cost to the Air Force, bringing it in continuity with the current era of fiscal restraint. "A partnership between WorkSource and Fairchild can ensure lower unemployment insurance costs to the Air Force by rapidly connecting service members to employment information and career opportunities," said Christopher Marble, the 92nd FSS Airman and Family Readiness Center director. "Further, as WorkSource is state and federally-funded, it is extremely important that our services not duplicate those available through other means. It is our intent to work collaboratively with the Transition Assistance Program and related civilian contractors to leverage and complement existing resources, allowing for enhanced service levels available on base." WorkSource can offer an experienced career specialist as well as disabled veterans specialist who will bring one-on-one services to the base to provide military families assistance with career transitions, creating and submitting résumés and applications, labor market information, connections with local employers, short-term skills training that might be appropriate to supplement military experience, individual career assessments, information about unemployment insurance, mock interviews, advice on networking, access to a National Career Readiness Certificate, referrals to specific jobs, and a single point of contact for linkages to specialized programs and services, Marble said. The goal is for WorkSource staff to be available on base four days per week from July 2014 through June 2015. For further questions related to Fairchild's new WorkSource office, contact the A&FRC at (509) 247-2246.
