VETsourcing is a not-for-profit initiative introduced by T21 Solutions, LLC as a way to connect military veterans, particularly those with disabilities and other limitations that would preclude traditional employment, with paid work opportunities and projects that will help them earn a living, sharpen their skills, and become increasingly competitive for full-time placements, additional project assignments and greater earning potential.

1. What is VETsourcing?Special Forces for Special Projects Steve Urquhart April 18, 2011 1

2. VETsourcing is a not-for-profit initiative introduced by T21 Solutions, LLC as a way to connect military veterans, particularly those with disabilities and other limitations that would preclude traditional employment, with paid work opportunities and projects that will help them earn a living, sharpen their skills, and become increasingly competitive for full-time placements, additional project assignments and greater earning potential.

3. Think of it as the “Handy Man (or Woman) Connection” for Creative Services and IT-Related Projects

5. vetsourcing.org

6. Problem Statement Veteran employment is higher than national averages, and trending higher Disabled veterans in particular have multiple barriers to traditional employment Some employers are reluctant to consider veterans due to preconceived notions Military skills are often difficult to translate to civilian careers 6

7. Excerpts from Testimony The numbers are disturbing. Unemployment rate for all veterans remains stubbornly at 9 percent Unemployment rate for post 9/11 veterans is roughly 11 percent--higher than the national average. 7 Statement of Rear Adm. T. L. McCreary, US Navy (Ret.) President of Military.com appearing before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee April 13, 2011

8. Excerpts from Testimony Young male veterans between the ages of 18 to 24 had an unemployment rate of 21.9 percent in 2010 Female veterans face unemployment at a rate of 13.5 percent, versus 8.4 percent for non-veteran women. 8

9. Excerpts from Testimony Post-service employment preparation should be focused on how to enter the civilian job market rather than trying to create stand-alone programs run by the government. It stands to reason that a crucial component in ensuring jobs for those veterans who return to civilian life is leveraging the expertise and involvement of the private sector. 9

10. Tackling the Problem Need to create an effective model (based on OJT, hands-on learning lab) to support transitioning veterans Jobs and careers need to be in sustainable, growth-oriented fields that optimize skills and provide flexibility 10

11. Ecosystem Community partners Veterans service organizations (VSOs) Veterans Affairs (VA) State and local workforce boards 11

12. Assessments Skills Crosswalk Training & Development Project Assignments Freelance Work Direct Placements Veterans Affairs Workforce Partners Veteran Services Organizations (VSO) Disabled Veterans Military Veterans Select Freelancers Creative Services Social Media E-Commerce Internet Services Marketing Communication Project Management Transition Assistance Points Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Wounded Warrior Project The Mission Continues Other Veteran Support Organizations Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses Defense Contractors Other Corporate Partners

13. How VETsourcing Works Phase 1 - Assessment (SII, NETS-T) and Crosswalking, orientation to VETsourcing [1 week] Phase 2 - Hands on learning "boot camp" and on-the-job training (OJT) Phase 2(a) - Identify and pair with mentor to provide perspective and coaching through the transition Phase 3 - Assignments to client projects and development of professional portfolio Phase 4 - Direct placement or support in establishing solopreneur business 13

14. At a Glance

15. Job Search 4.0? Job search 1.0 = Help Wanted ads in newspapers Job search 2.0 = Online job boards Job search 3.0 = Social talent communities Job search 4.0 will be “less about finding talent and finding jobs and more about applying skills to the problems existing in any marketplace,” -- Joel Capperella, vice president for Yoh, a Philadelphia-based technology staffing firm.

16. VETsourcing Services Recommend potential career development based on assessments, crosswalk of skills and experience Identify appropriate training curriculum to support skills development Actively identify projects and tasks to develop skill set, OJT model Match up candidates with mentors who have successfully made the transition from military to civilian careers 16

17. VETsourcing Services (cont’d) Maintain a "mastermind" group as a base of support and networking resource for VETsourcing participants Provide access to technical support and additional cross-functional capabiltiies 17

18. Partnership Model Small to Mid-Sized Businesses requiring support on a variety of social media, creative services and/or technical projects Defense contractors and others with requirement to work with SDVOSBs (3% rule) Institutional education partners, e.g. community colleges and state colleges Technical training entities (e.g., New Horizons, Atomic Learning, Lynda.com) 18

19. Partnership Model (2) Selected online freelancing resources, e.g. Solvate, Guru, etc. for project assignments Could be combined with Ticket to Work if the technical/creative skills are a match with the eligibility criteria of the candidate VSOs for ongoing support and services 19

20. At a Glance VSO Ecosystem VET sourcing JOB Market

21. What Are the Jobs? Technical Social Media Development Web Development Cloud Resource Management Application Development E-Commerce Development Analytics Creative Graphic Designer Community Manager Copywriter Technical Writer 21

22. What Are the Jobs? Project Management Team Lead Client Liaison Business Development 22

25. Social Media Job Growth + 183%

26. Indeed.com Stats 4/17/11 Internet jobs in Florida (about 7,940 jobs). Marketing jobs in Florida (about 20,701 jobs). Online Marketing jobs in Florida (about 3,894 jobs). Blogger jobs in Florida (about 247 jobs). Digital Communications jobs in Florida (about 1,655 jobs). Social Media jobs within 50 miles of Florida (about 1,236 jobs). Social Media jobs in Florida (about 1,236 jobs).

27. Phase 3 Phase 2 Phase 1

28. What Makes Me Qualified? I'm a (disabled) veteran 8 years active duty, 1989 – 1997 2 combat tours including Iraq 6 years reserve duty, 1997 - 2003 I’ve been through this in the best of times My team has the experience to make this work and … I've tested this concept: It works 28

29. Discussion

30. Thank You!