The provision of appropriate career development opportunities and specialization programs is quickly becoming a pressing focus for most employers, as the hiring market remains increasingly competitive. Companies require talented, qualified, and experienced candidates, and the candidates inherently seek out companies who value and care for them.
Veterans comprise slightly more than ten percent of the population, and yet they remain a relatively untapped resource for most businesses. However, with a little extra focus, skill development programs, and specialized training, veteran candidates can become a valuable and integral part of a company’s workforce.
Why Mentorship Programs Are Needed
A detailed study of the Attrition and Turnover of Veterans by Syracuse University revealed that within their first few years in the corporate sector, veterans switch jobs at least twice. The study also found that most move between at least three different companies before they identify a place where they might conceivably settle long-term. Rather than an indictment of their loyalty, it is a testament to the lack of inclusive civilian workspaces.
It should come as no surprise that companies that actively hire veterans open their doors to some of the most disciplined, resilient, and committed employees. In order to sustain those qualities, however, they require guidance and direction. With this in mind, mentorship programs are a great solution to helping veterans acclimatize to civilian roles.
Advantages of Offering Mentorship Programs
 Improving Veteran Engagement and Morale
The transition from military experience to civilian life can be more than a little challenging for many veterans. A mentoring dynamic establishes an opportunity for open social integration and interaction with other employees and company leadership. This boosts veterans’ confidence and allows them to cultivate a work dynamic with colleagues, an essential stepping-stone to long-term employment.
Offering veteran hires a counterpart to turn to with questions, concerns, and feedback not only allows them to feel recognized; but also affords both parties the opportunity to learn by example. This ensures quick acclimatization and better engagement.
Mentors want nothing more than to see their protégé succeed, and often go to great lengths to ensure this, including putting them in touch with relevant resources, who can provide further assistance. Moreover, a social relationship with a workplace confidante improves veterans’ ability to interface with civilians, particularly in the immediate aftermath of their terms of service.
Boosts Retention Rate with Career Building/Development
The biggest problem that many veterans face is a lack of direction. This can easily be resolved by the allotment of a mentor, who can help them explore their interests, offer further insight into the corporate world, and guide them to a stable career path.
Mentor status derives from a considerable amount of practical knowledge. As such, mentors are the best people to consult for various avenues and career options, particularly for those professionals reacquainting themselves with civilian life. By providing mentors that offer proper career advice, an organization can attract veteran talent and simultaneously give them a valid reason to stay.
It is imperative to understand employees’ career objectives in order to guarantee retention and empower them to become future leaders.
Promoting Inclusivity and Harmony
Inclusive employee programs are conducive to a more friendly, cohesive work environment. By organizing a mentorship program, veterans are made to feel welcome and acknowledged by their employers and colleagues alike. It creates a welcoming atmosphere from the start. It enables colleagues to recognize their counterparts and builds a culture of collaboration and inclusiveness.
Whatever the strategy, veterans, like any other professional, thrive by way of shared experience, discussion, and real-time interaction with other employees. Both mentoring circles and one-on-one mentoring are effective strategies; they clear away misconceptions and stereotypes on both ends while creating a bridge of empathy and goodwill between multiple parties.
Engaging Top Veteran Talent and Candidates
A mentorship program is a very promising prospect for most veterans aspiring to make the transition back into the civilian workforce. A company’s willingness to invest effort and time in them is a major green flag.
If you are looking for soft skills in veterans, it is best to offer them an atmosphere that encourages them to develop such talents. A mentorship program denotes an employee-centric approach, something that any top-tier candidate will always seek out in an organization.