Lt. Governor Brown Announces Free MDOT Veterans Resource Expo
Expo Geared to Help Veterans Transition from Military to Civilian Life
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 5, 2012) – As part of the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s efforts to provide Veterans with better services and resources, Lt. Governor Brown today announced that the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will host the 2012 MDOT Veterans Resource Expo to help Veterans transition from military life to civilian life. The Expo will offer information on career opportunities, education, health and community support that is specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of Veterans and their families.
Veterans and their family members are strongly encouraged to pre-register for the MDOT Veterans Resource Expo that will be held at the 5th Regiment Armory in Baltimore City from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 30th. Registration is open through April 30th. For more information on the MDOT Veterans Resource Expo, please visit www.MDOTVETEXPO.org or call 410-865-1164. See event flyer here.
“Maryland's Veterans deserve the highest quality benefits and resources, and hosting this free Expo is just one more way to show our appreciation for their sacrifice by helping connect them with the jobs they need to support their families,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “In addition to our Maryland’s Veterans’ Preference Policy in State hiring, this outreach event will provide Veterans with more resources and information to succeed in their new goals and career opportunities in civilian life.”
MDOT has a variety of careers that will be highlighted by MDOT, the Maryland Transportation Authority and all the MDOT agencies attending the Expo, including: the Maryland Transit Administration, the State Highway Administration, the Motor Vehicle Administration, the Port of Baltimore and BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. The agencies will provide information about services that they can offer Veterans, such as public transportation to job sites, as well as an overview of the types of careers available.
“This free Expo is to assist Veterans with translating their military experience into jobs here in Maryland,” said Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley. “The Maryland Department of Transportation is one of the largest employers in the State. MDOT offers a variety of jobs, including: bus operators, bus maintenance technicians, customer service agents, accountants, engineers and police officers. We encourage all our Veterans to come join us at the Expo.”
MDOT’s Expo is an extension of Maryland’s Warrior to Worker Initiative, signed by Governor O’Malley in October 2010, which encourages all state agencies to enhance employment opportunities for veterans within state government.
In addition to the MDOT Agencies, there will be other Maryland State agencies participating, including the Departments of: Veterans Affairs, Budget and Management, and Labor Licensing and Regulation. Workshops and booths will provide Veterans with assistance in resume writing, succeeding in job interviews and general information on how to translate military experience to civilian occupations. There will also be several local colleges/institutes, health care representatives and local community groups in attendance.
The event is only for Veterans and their family members. Attendees will be required to register and show documentation of their military service or their family members’ military service. Admission to the event is free and MTA will provide complimentary light rail, bus or Metro service to those who register to attend. Once registered, your complimentary transit passes will be mailed to you. Click here to view Secretary Swaim-Staley’s interview on the Expo: http://mta.maryland.gov/mta-commuter-connections.
Lt. Governor Brown, a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and the nation’s highest-ranking elected official to have served a tour of duty in Iraq, leads the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s efforts to provide veterans with better services and resources.
Since taking office in 2007, Lt. Governor Brown has championed successful efforts to pass the Veterans Behavioral Health Act, protect veterans’ business loans programs and fully fund the Iraq and Afghanistan Scholarship Program. Last year, the Lt. Governor launched the Mil2FedsJobs web portal, located on the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWEjobs.maryland.gov), the first of its kind in any state to directly match transitioning service members with careers in the Federal Government. This session, Lt. Governor Brown advocated on behalf of legislation that allows notation of ‘veteran’ status on drivers’ licenses and identification cards. Last month, the bill passed unanimously in both the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates.
