Spectrum Health Partners with West Michigan Employers to Expand Jobs Program for Veterans

Veteran Explorers employer partners now include Haworth and Gordon Food Service; program management transitioning to Michigan Works!

Spectrum Health’s program to provide valuable job skills to unemployed and underemployed veterans is expanding beyond health care into the food service distribution and manufacturing industries.

Eligible veterans will now be able to take advantage of training and career development opportunities at Gordon Food Service, Haworth and several Spectrum Health locations in Grand Rapids, Greenville and Zeeland.

The Veteran Explorers Program provides veterans the opportunity to acquire skills for employment through paid internships, which include three 10-week job rotations in a variety of settings, career development workshops, networking and other program support. Beginning in 2015, Michigan Works!, a statewide workforce development system that provides assistance to employers and job seekers, is providing general management of the program, while Spectrum Health maintains strategic oversight and remains an employer partner.

“This is a natural program progression that allows veterans to have experience in other industries beyond health care,” said Nicole McConnell, director, Employee Lifecycle, Inclusion & Diversity at Spectrum Health. “Expanding opportunities for veterans in other West Michigan organizations opens doors for collaboration and creates even more success stories.”

“Military veterans represent a highly skilled talent pool that is currently under-utilized in West Michigan and throughout the country,” said Ann Harten, Haworth’s vice president of Global Human Resources. “This program provides veterans an opportunity to leverage their considerable skills in a corporate environment and explore opportunities that can put them on an exciting civilian career path. We are proud to offer this program to men and women who have served our country and hope to help with career transitions.”

Gordon Food Service is always looking for talented individuals to join the company and understands that many veterans still face challenges translating their military experience for employers.

“The Veteran Explorers Program is an opportunity for Gordon Food Service to partner with the community while also meeting a business need,” said Tony Groll, president, U.S. distribution for Gordon Food Service. “We think this program will better prepare us to partner with veteran organizations throughout our U.S. geography.”

Since launching in 2013, 22 veterans have completed the program with an 86 percent immediate employment rate. The 17 veterans hired by Spectrum Health are serving in a variety of capacities, including application developer analyst, recruiter, facilities project leader, payer relations manager, transportation coordinator and other management and support roles.

Michigan Works! is accepting applications until May 1. Participants who meet eligibility requirements will have opportunities to complete work rotations at Gordon Food Service, Haworth and several Spectrum Health locations, including Spectrum Health Medical Center in Grand Rapids, Spectrum Health United Hospital in Greenville and Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital.

“A great deal of planning and collaboration has gone into preparing for the Veteran Explorers Program. Veterans receive priority services within Michigan Works! agencies, so this collaboration with Gordon Food Service, Haworth, and Spectrum Health is a natural fit with our goals and mission to assist veterans. We are excited to be part of this unique program and incredibly thankful for the eagerness of these employers to assist veterans in successfully transitioning into the civilian world,” said Deb Lyzenga, Michigan Works! Business Services Manager.

Eligibility requirements for the program include U.S. veterans who:

Served at least 180 active duty days in the military with honorable discharge
Can provide a copy of their DD214
Are currently unemployed or underemployed
Are willing to work 20 hours per week
Meet employer hiring requirements

Those eligible must complete prerequisite coursework with Michigan Works! prior to starting rotations, including:

20 hours in general employability skills training
Work Keys
Basic skill and behavioral/interest assessments

To learn more and apply, visit www.vetexplorers.org

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About Spectrum Health
Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 11 hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 170 ambulatory and service sites; 1,200 physicians and advanced practice providers including members of Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a health plan with more than 600,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 21,800 employees. The organization provided $294.6 million in community benefit during its 2014 fiscal year. In 2014, Spectrum Health was named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics.

spectrumhealth.org

About Haworth
Globally, Haworth improves workplaces with award-winning furniture, interior architecture and technology solutions to help customers achieve business goals and transform culture as well as support collaboration and innovation. Research + design drive a deep understanding of agile workplace needs and are at the center of the company’s strategy. Haworth is committed to protecting and restoring the environment, creating economic value as well as supporting and strengthening its communities. Founded in 1948, Haworth remains family-owned and privately-held and serves markets in more than 120 countries through a global network of 650 dealers and 6,000 employees. The company had net sales of US $1.8 billion in 2014.
haworth.com | haworthcollection.com | @haworthinc | facebook.com/haworthinc

About Gordon Food Service
Since 1897, we have delivered uncompromising quality and heartfelt service for our customers. We began as a simple butter-and-egg delivery service, and have grown to become the largest family business in the foodservice industry by upholding the same approach for over 115 years—remaining passionately committed to the people we serve. Today, we serve foodservice operators within the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the United States and coast-to-coast in Canada. We also operate more than 170 Gordon Food Service Store locations in the U.S., which are open to the public and provide restaurant-quality products and friendly, knowledgeable service without a membership fee. Partnering with organizations from across industries healthcare to education, independent and chain restaurants, and event planners, we help our customers create food experiences that people choose, enjoy, and remember. To learn more about Gordon Food Service, visit gfs.com.

About Michigan Works!
Michigan Works! is a statewide workforce development system that provides assistance to employers and job seekers to ensure that employers have access to skilled talent and individuals are provided with access to training and skills to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Michigan Works! receives funding from federal and state governments through Michigan’s Workforce Development Agency. You can learn more about Michigan Works! Kent, Allegan & Barry Counties at michiganworkska.org.