Together Again at the 2022 NASWA Veterans Conference
Written by: Vera Medici
After two years of virtual events, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) returned to the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., for the 2022 NASWA Veterans Conference on July 28–30, 2022. State workforce agency staff were excited to greet each in person for three days of learning, networking, and sharing the latest information in the field.
A Powerful Partnership
Management Concepts was proud to return as a Gold Sponsor, highlighting our learning development and learning technology services and how we leverage them to administer the National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI). NVTI is a program of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) and was established in 1986 to further develop and enhance the professional skills of veterans’ employment and training service providers throughout the United States. Management Concepts is honored to be the current NVTI contract holder.
What’s New at NVTI?
As in previous years, NASWA has continued the tradition of presenting the popular session, “What’s New! – Latest Info from Both USDOL VETS and the National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI).” Speaking both on behalf of NVTI and Management Concepts, Dr. Hannah Toney, director of Custom Learning Solutions at Management Concepts, was joined by Alexandra (Ali) Bergeron, NVTI coordinator at Management Concepts, and Brandon Webb, NVTI program lead at DOL VETS. Together, they outlined a newly developed JVSG Career Roadmap certificate program as well as new courses in serving special populations, additional podcasts, and microlearning sessions to better equip state-funded staff to serve veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. They also shared the news that NVTI is returning some training to the classroom setting, which many workforce staff who missed in-person networking and information-sharing were excited to hear.
Keynote Speakers
Several inspiring keynote speakers took the stage during the three days of the event, including General Stanley McChrystal, disability advocate Richard Pimentel, Gold Star wife Jennie Taylor, and retired Army Master Sergeant Cedric King. Although their backgrounds varied, the message was the same: keep going, no matter what. Finding new purpose in the face of unexpected challenges and sharing those learning experiences left all those who heard the courageous stories inspired and motivated. Serving those who have served is not always an easy task, but it is a mission to which veteran employment services and veteran service organization staff are dedicated.
Moving Forward
With so much energy and renewed enthusiasm that was felt at the 2022 NASWA Veterans Conference, we look forward to seeing what is on the horizon and reconvening next year to discuss the results.
Visit our NASWA event page to learn about the powerful partnership between Management Concepts and DOL VETS to operate the National Veterans’ Training Institute and the many ways in which Management Concepts serves those who serve active duty and military veterans.
