ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed a memorandum of understanding today with Fort George G. Meade and Anne Arundel County to provide workforce services to transitioning service members, active-duty spouses, and veterans at Fort Meade.
Supporting our military spouses, transitioning service members, and veterans to find full employment within our region is an economic imperative and a meaningful way to show our appreciation. It’s become even more evident through this pandemic how vital it is we work together for the good of our region – and we’re very grateful to have great relationships and partnerships with Anne Arundel County Executive Pittman and the leadership of Colonel Nyland at Fort Meade. We look forward to our continued partnership, to ensure the best for all those that live and work in our region.
The partnership allows Anne Arundel Workforce Development Center (AAWDC) and Howard County’s Office of Workforce Development (HCOWD) to provide services that include career coaching, skills training, credentialing/certification, and job connections. The agencies will also work with Ft. Meade to fill their federal civilian positions.
“It was just over a year ago that state funding ended for Anne Arundel Workforce Development’s successful Military Corps Career Connect program. Today’s MOU between Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and Fort George G. Meade more than fills that gap,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “I, County Executive Ball, and Colonel Nyland not only share strong friendships, but are also dedicated to the welfare of the Fort Meade community and the surrounding businesses that will be strengthened by this program.”
Today’s signing is another example of the great relationship we continue to have with our community – from improving our schools and expanding transportation options in the area, to this historic partnership. I know Fort Meade could not be the Nation’s Platform for Intelligence, Information and Cyber Operations without the strong community. Now that this framework is in place, we will be looking for the other organizations within the Fort Meade Community Covenant Council to continue to build on what we’re starting today, so that it is even more successful tomorrow.
The agreement will help address unemployment rates by providing core job and skills training - resume review and prep, interviewing, networking - to unemployed and underemployed transitioning service members, families, and veterans. There are more than 18,000 military personnel attached to Ft. Meade.
With the signed agreement in place, AAWDC and HCOWD will have a joint career coach located at Ft. Meade to begin providing services to transitioning service members, active-duty spouses, and veterans.
“I was a military spouse and have experience first-hand with the employment challenges of relocating to a new area every few years,” said Francine Trout, Director of Howard County’s Office of Workforce Development. “I am thrilled to be a part of the workforce development effort, along with Ft. Meade and AAWDC, to support those who have served and their spouses.”
“We look forward to providing even more services to this community thanks to this agreement,” said Kirkland J. Murray, President and CEO of AAWDC. “Transitioning service members, active-duty spouses, and veterans attached to Ft. Meade can contact military@aawdc.org to connect to services.”