A program that matches veterans transitioning out of the military with internships with the City of Tucson has grown significantly in its first year, officials said earlier this month.

The program is an effort of council members Richard Fimbres and Nikki Lee, both military veterans.

When Lee took office in 2019, she helped create the city’s first employee resource group for veterans, the appropriately named “City Vets,” and encouraged the mayor and council to create a veteran coordinator position to support employees and programs.

Under Military Veteran Coordinator Matthew Langseth’s leadership, the city has brought new services and programs to the region including SkillBridge, which places transitioning military members with the city for the last several months of their service.

Through SkillBridge, the Department of Defense pays up to 180 days of the person’s salary, while the city provides training and employment for careers in various departments including information technology, water, fire, defense services, ward offices and more.

“I had a very difficult transition out of the military,” Lee said during a city council study session earlier this month. “It took me a very long time to find a job at a City of Tucson employer and I really wanted to help where I am now to make the process a lot easier for folks who are getting out.

Lee said she's also worked hard to help create a space within the city specifically for military veterans.

"We are a unique group of folks," she said. "Having a place for ourselves to create a community within our community has been a priority.”

SkillBridge is one of several military veteran programs offered by the city. Other opportunities include the military spouse hiring pathway, veteran second chances and veteran hiring pathway, with the city also offering community outreach and special events.  

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 42% of Tucson's population are veterans. This makes it the perfect place to offer a Military Veteran Program and capitalize on the experience, skills and leadership that service members have to offer, Langseth said.

The city has saved more than $200,000 in training costs since implementing SkillBridge a little over a year ago, and has grown its internship participation from four to 13, a 225% increase.

Seven of the first nine SkillBridge interns accepted jobs with the city when their programs were complete. The city has four active interns and another four getting ready to start.

Jennifer Denton accepted a job with the city as a project manager after spending 117 days in the program.

“I received valuable and useful experience … that made my transition from the military to the civilian world 100 times easier,” she wrote in a testimonial highlighted during the presentation.

Jason McCoy spent 107 days as an IT intern before signing on to work with the city (seems obvious that that job is FT)as an information technology architect.

“The SkillBridge program has been a critical part of my transition from military life,” McCoy wrote in a testimonial. “The program allowed me to reflect on my time as a soldier and understand my actual skill set level.”

He said the city has met or exceeded his expectations and he’s now experienced what great leadership looks like outside of the military.

“I share that excitement with  all of my former soldiers,” he wrote.

Langseth told council members that veteran employees stay with the city an average of two years longer than their non-veteran counterparts.

 “(We’re) really making an impact and providing those resources and support to not only the community, but the employees of the city of Tucson, as well,” he said. 

Abbie Andrus is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at asandrus@arizona.edu.

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