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Department of Defense SkillBridge: Connecting Transitioning Service Members to Career Job Training Opportunities Military members within 180 days of their separation from their service are eligible to spend the last 180 days of their term of service to enhance their skill and marketability by training with a SkillBridge industry partner. Based on approval of the service members unit commander, the member continues to receive military compensation and benefits while participating in the SkillBridge program. A variety of industries participate as training partners including energy, information technology, manufacturing, retail, transportation, civil service, and more. As members of our Armed Forces, our service members already possess excellent leadership qualities and have proven themselves trainable and eager to serve, making them excellent candidates for this transition program. As an employer, finding qualified candidates is often the biggest obstacle of running a business. More than 200,000 service members transition into civilian life each year, highly skilled and ready to transition their unique ethos into their new life. If you are an employer in an occupation with sufficient demand and are able to offer apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, industry recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAP), on-the-job training (OJT), employment skills training, or internships as described by the SkillBridge criteria, contact a SkillBridge program representative as an interested industry employer, join hundreds of employers who gain qualified workers while providing an invaluable service to our transitioning service members, including other organizations right here in our community. Boots to Business Boots to Business is an entrepreneur training program from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) available to Active Duty service members, Veterans, and dependent spouses. The traditional two-day training provided on base during a service member's Transition Assistance Program is an introduction to the basic knowledge and resources needed to build the framework of a business and what the SBA can provide to those interested in moving forward with their business plans. The Boots to Business Reboot offers the same services that are available during the two-day course provided during the Transition Assistance Program but off base and extended to all Veterans, Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. Boots to Business offers follow-on support to those who go through the introductory training by an online course through Mississippi State University. This is provided at no-cost to the service members, Veterans, and military spouses. The SBA offers many other resources through their partners including the Veterans Business Outreach Center, Small Business Development Center, and Women's Business Center. 70 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org Valuable Veteran Resources M I L I TA RY Photo by Photo Solutions