County partnership with Department of Defense SkillBridge program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Spokane County opted into agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program. The DoD SkillBridge program matches service members with civilian employment opportunities that align with job training and work experience they gained during military duty. SkillBridge provides transitioning service members the ability to capitalize on training and development opportunities in the civilian sector so that they may grow and progress as professionals, after their term of military service. SkillBridge programs can be hosted by public or private organizations that are vetted and approved by the Office of the Under-secretary of Defense for Personnel Readiness (USD(P&R)). Spokane County was approved as a host site for the SkillBridge program, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Office of the USD(P&R) in August 2022, and is listed as a host site on the SkillBridge website: https://skillbridge.osd.mil/index.htm. Any military branch, rank, enlisted, or officer who has completed at least 180 days of active service and is within 180 days of separating from service is eligible for consideration. The SkillBridge program is an opportunity to create a mentoring relationship between transitioning service members and Spokane County, while providing them experience and room to adapt to the civilian workforce. With standing Memorandum of Understanding we can develop a talent pipeline for potential regular position hires while gaining more knowledge of prospective employees by watching participants in a county government work environment. Military participants gain visibility regarding the wide range of County career fields and improve community relationships as they enhance their skillset to better serve our public.