The Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs provides a multitude of services for veterans and their spouses including assistance in navigating claims and benefits, entrepreneurship support, and more. Randall Coon, the organization’s program administrator, was at the Local Ag Summit last week and took time to speak with Farm Director KC Sheperd about his part in the program.
“I work with veterans that are transitioning out of the service or looking for their next career,” he said. “I don’t want to find them a job. I want to help them into their next career. Sometimes, we have to get some education before we start a new career and I help and guide them through that, also through the resume, how to dress, and interview.”
The Department of Veteran Affairs has joined forces with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the Department of Commerce to put on hiring events for veterans.
He detailed how the Norman Veterans Home is in need of registered nurses, LPNs, and CNAs, as well as help in food and laundry services and maintenance; therefore, they hold a hiring fair on the third Thursday of every month to help both the veterans in the home and veterans seeking new career opportunities from outside the home.
“Applicants will know if they have the job before they leave,” Coon explained. “We will extend you a conditional job offer, pending background investigation and drug screening results, and once those come back, we are talking start date.”
The Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs is also proud of its AgriVets Program, and coming from an agricultural background himself, Coon understands the zen effect that working on the farm or ranch can have on those suffering from PTSD.
“At the AgriVets Program, we have partnered with Oklahoma State University, Langston University, USDA, and many others to bring education, training, and mentorship to veterans who want to get into agriculture,” Coon explained. “They may want to do it as a hobby, like I do, or as a livelihood, so we really work with them on how to get into that.”
He noted how low the success rate of entrepreneurship is and outlined the importance of having the guidance of a mentor when starting out.
Upcoming hiring events for the Department of Veteran Affairs include the aviation-based A.C.E.’s Hiring Event at Rose State College on April 3 and on April 18 in Tulsa in addition to the pilot program hiring event held on the third Thursday of every month at the Norman Veteran’s Home.
“All of my state homes need assistance,” Coon said. “I am really working to get them the assistance they need.
More information can be found on the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs website.
