WASHINGTON – Expecting high employee retirement rates over the next few years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has stepped up its search for qualified people with a bold promotional product.
VA has created a new CD-ROM promoting the department as “an employer of choice.” Last month the department sent the disc to colleges and universities, military transition centers, veterans organizations, and VA vocational rehabilitation centers, offices and medical centers.
“It creates a corporate recruitment marketing approach that will give VA a competitive edge in attracting highly-qualified career applicants,” said Tim S. McClain, acting assistant secretary for human resources management and administration.
Developed by VA’s Marketing and Veterans Employment Outreach Service, the mini-CD-ROM uses graphics and video streaming to present a wide spectrum of career opportunities. It includes testimonials from VA employees and a portal to access job openings and job search tips on the USAJOBS website. The CD-ROM describes VA’s goals and services, occupations and the benefits of working for VA.
The new marketing tool supports the objectives of the President’s Management Agenda and VA’s 2003-2008 Strategic Plan. The CD-ROM also addresses an objective in the plan to recruit, develop and retain a diverse workforce that provides high-quality service to veterans and their families.
The Office of Personnel Management recently upgraded VA’s score to “yellow” in the “Strategic Management of Human Capital” portion of the President’s Management Agenda. The recognition was based on VA’s marketing and veterans recruitment outreach, including production of the CD-ROM.
Like most federal agencies facing loss of employees in mission-critical occupations as the workforce ages, VA saw the need to make its marketing approach more attention-getting. Its future recruitment plans include a new, interactive VA jobs Web site.
A limited number of CDs are available by contacting the Office of Human Resources Management and Labor Relations, Office of Marketing and Veterans Employment Outreach Service, at (202) 273-9740.
