The military recognizes that moving every few years creates career challenges for military spouses, especially when stationed overseas or in remote areas. Our Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) offers family members a variety of resources to tackle those challenges.

The Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) provides no cost consultations, programs and services to help families in the job search process. Consultants are available to guide spouses and family members on career planning, job seeking and resume writing, as well as to help them prepare for interviews and negotiate offers.

Workshops have been created to help you plan a career, launch a job search, write the resume, learn interview techniques, find information on federal employment, conduct self-assessments, set goals and even take vocational tests. FERP also offers computer tutorial programs to help you build technical skills.

The goal of FERP is to help you learn how to get a job and maintain a career you enjoy, as a military family member. Let FERP help you today.

Military Spouse Scholarships

The National Military Family Association is accepting scholarship applications through January 31, 2015!  Scholarships and other awards range from $500 to $2,500, depending on the type of program you are pursuing and funding availability. You may apply each year, even if you have been awarded in a previous year. You must be a spouse with a valid military ID to apply. This includes spouses of active duty, guard, reserve, and retired service members, as well as surviving spouses. Spouses who are service members themselves are generally not eligible to apply, but may be granted an exception on a case-by-case basis.   APPLY TODAY!

Resources:

 

• Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) consultants provide professional guidance to military spouses on careers, education and training, employment readiness and career connections.
  Search for jobs online using the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) which connects military spouse-friendly companies with jobs to military spouses seeking employment.


• Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) provides financial assistance to eligible spouses pursuing licensure, certification or an associate degree.


• Federal Employment: If you are a spouse who meets certain criteria, you may be eligible for non-competitive entry into federal employment or employment placement preference in DoD civilian personnel positions.


• Military Spouse Preference Program: Military Spouse Preference (MSP) is a Department of Defense (DOD) program that is intended to lessen the career interruption of spouses who relocate with their military sponsors. MSP offers employment placement preference in DoD civilian personnel positions to military spouses who meet the eligibility requirements. The program applies to DoD vacancies only.


• Volunteerism: Volunteerism offers a great opportunity to learn new skills or enhance existing skills, gain experience in the workforce and contribute to the community. Many military spouses find deep satisfaction in volunteering their time. Often, paid employment is too difficult to find or simply does not suit the needs of the spouse. Volunteering provides an advantage when seeking future employment while also serving the needs of the community. More information on volunteerism is available.


• Federal Employment: Employment with the Federal Government is an excellent option for military spouses. Family members may be eligible for non-competitive federal appointment. Military spouses who meet certain criteria may be eligible for military spouse preference when applying for DoD civilian personnel positions.