Army Community Service is sometimes just thought of as a program that helps families who are having emergency issues and who need assistance right away. Which it is, but it offers so much more.
At many bases, ACS can be a spouse's key to finding a job.
Fort Rucker's ACS office, for example, has grown a top notch employment readiness department for both spouses and veterans. There, Debbie Gaydos, employment readiness program manager builds and maintains relationships with local companies, 260 to be exact, who all look to her to help find qualified employees.
She sends them Fort Rucker's finest spouses and veterans. And those candidates who she sends get a jump on the competition.
The companies give Gaydos one week to fill their positions before advertising them to the public. Gaydos helps her candidates prep their resumes and polish their interview techniques. She also offers a bi-weekly, one-hour long class to all job seekers. Class graduates are rewarded by being placed on her email roster to receive local job openings.
“This really works because we can do it in mass, but I still have contact with candidates and can do one on ones with them if needed,” Gaydos said. “I stay after if I need to. Whatever they need. It works really well to get it done and processing is unlimited. I can get as many people in a session and have them enrolled and getting job emails by the next morning.”
Gaydos keeps her finger on the economic pulse of her area by serving as the local Workforce Development Committee Chair and staying active in the Chamber of Commerce as well as local economic development groups.
“Whatever is going on out there, I’m meeting about it. These businesses are the ones who are giving me the jobs for my family members and veterans,” Gaydos said.
Military spouses who want to start their own business can participate in a quarterly program Gaydos puts together with a grant from a local school. Twice a year there are sessions specifically for people who want to enter into contracts with the government.
Gaydos said building the programs and placing people in the workforce is more than a job, it is a passion.
“My favorite part of my job is making the connection between the person who needs the employee and the person who wants a job. It’s still a thrill for me,” she said.
Gaydos has made employment readiness a focal point for ACS at Fort Rucker. It may be worth visiting your local ACS office to see how they can help you in your job search.
