Watertown, NY – Next Move NY has launched a job-matching portal designed to bridge the gap between employers and Fort Drum’s military community. By connecting transitioning soldiers, veterans and military spouses with immediate career opportunities throughout the North Country and New York State, the platform will advance Next Move NY’s mission to grow New York’s workforce and create the most robust transitioning soldier and spouse retention pipeline in the country. This initiative is funded by New York State via a grant awarded to the North Country Regional Economic Development Council as part of Round XIII of the Regional Economic Development Council Challenge Competition.
Transitioning soldiers, military spouses and veterans must register to use the free job matching portal and can then search for and filter jobs by their skill set, capabilities and/or experiences. The personalized search process connects them with real-time employment opportunities posted by businesses also registered in the portal.
To enhance the job search process, NMNY staff also provide one-on-one assistance to applicants, helping them with essential skills like resume creation, interview preparation, career training and education resources. Together, these programs and tools set transitioning soldiers, military spouses, and veterans on a supported path to employment in the North Country or New York State.
The Next Move NY job-matching portal can be accessed through the Next Move NY website.
“Soldiers transitioning out of service at Fort Drum and their spouses represent an outstanding opportunity to retain skilled workers in the North Country and help employers fill critical, open positions that are available right now,” said Carl E. Farone, Jr., Executive Director of the Development Authority of the North Country, which oversees the Next Move NY program.
“This portal is more than just a job board; it is a vital bridge between the talent at Fort Drum and the evolving needs of our North Country businesses,” said Empire State Development North Country Regional Director Steve Hunt, who also serves as NCREDC Executive Director. “By simplifying the connection between transitioning military families and local employers, we aren’t just filling vacancies—we are ensuring that the skills and leadership forged in service stay in New York State and power our local economy.”
Fort Drum represents the single most substantial unrealized opportunity to build a robust workforce pipeline to North Country employers. In recent years, an annual average of 3,630 soldiers have transitioned out of the service from Fort Drum to civilian life.
Next Move NY builds upon and leverages existing programs and partners to create a comprehensive, one-stop system that supports, educates, credentials and engages transitioning soldiers, spouses, and veterans. Beyond its new job-matching portal, the program offers a robust website launched last year, which provides a single source of information for transitioning soldiers, spouses and veterans to help them find employment that meets their needs as well as resources to stay in the North Country.
This one-stop approach is further strengthened by the existing Career Connect program, which links eligible program participants with apprenticeships and internships in key industry sectors, and the Veterans Ambassador Program, which pairs transitioning soldiers with mentors from the business community.
Transitioning soldiers, spouses and veterans can reach out to NMNY staff at 315-661-3356 for assistance in registering for the portal. Businesses are encouraged to sign up to have their jobs listed on the portal. Please contact Sarah Wilder, NMNY Regional Business Liaison, at 315-661-3358, to register a business today.
