Installations band together to assist military spouses Published Aug. 24, 2009 By Thea Skinner 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Air Force and Army installations in Colorado Springs joined forces to bring the regional community the Military Spouse Employment Forum in place Aug. 27 from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Ponderosa Room of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center. This second forum of its kind is hosted by the Military Spouse Career Committee, a sub-committee of the Chamber's Military Affairs Committee, an organization that connects local military spouses with meaningful employment in El Paso County. Top local businesses will encourage a conversation about the employability of the military spouse. "Military spouses are very talented multi-taskers with skill sets" said Beverly Price, Peterson's Airman and Family Readiness Center career focus manager and co-facilitator of the forum. "The intent is to dispel the myths and increase the employability of the military spouses." One general myth is that military spouses move frequently when in fact they often remain at the same location for three to five years. "About 500 spouses are actively looking for employment in my database - on a daily basis about three get jobs and three are seeking jobs," Ms. Price said. The forum begins with a continental breakfast and networking featuring Dr. Lillie Cannon, program manager of the Army Spouse Employment Partnership. The forum includes an employer panel, a military spouse panel, employment statistics, and a round table discussion to meet the needs of local employers. "We see so many talented military spouses come through our doors, and we know their skills would be a valuable asset to our local businesses," said Jeannie Lopez, MSCC chair and community readiness consultant at the Air Force Academy Airman and Family Readiness Center in a press release. "We are holding the Military Spouse Employment Forum so businesses can see the amazing talents of the military spouse, and so we can hear what businesses are looking for in employees. The result should be better employment opportunities and better employees all around." The MSCC also holds quarterly Career Tracks Seminars to provide assessment and career focus tools that assist military spouses looking for work. For information contact Jeannie Lopez at 333-3168 or 333-3444 or visit ColoradoMilitarySpouseCareers.wordpress.com.