Success has taken one of Fast Forward’s best ambassador veterans off the Ready Active list. Now that veteran Tony Carmichael has the job he was striving for, he can no longer drop in at 3223 Devine Street to talk up the advantages the community technology center offers veterans.

“I still come as often as I can, but my new job is a full commitment,” said Carmichael, who just began a civilian Information Systems position at Shaw Field AFB.

While he was searching for the right job, one that would build upon his military experience in that field, he frequented Fast Forward, to participate in programming, to brain storm with other veterans, and to give Executive Director Dee Albritton a hand wherever she needed one.

“After I retired from my military career in June 2008, I was looking for an upper-edge advantage because competition was stiff.” Although Carmichael worked in top security areas and did some pretty cutting edge work, he didn’t have a way to prove parallels between what civilian employers needed and what he could provide.

“It didn’t matter that I had two degrees and Information Technician attached to my name; I didn’t have on my resume what they wanted to see to consider me for some of the better jobs.”

Not finding something in his field right away, he took a job at Wal-Mart to support his family. “In my searches I noticed that jobs I was interested in had WorkKeys certification as a base requirement. I didn’t even know what that was!”

Carmichael learned that WorkKeys® job skills assessment system primarily targets industry jobs applicants. “The assessment connects real world work skills, training and testing, and both employers and educational institutions use it,” said Carmichael. “The purpose is to set benchmarks.”

Applied technology, an area in which Carmichael is well versed, is one for which WorkKeys assesses. “Also math and business writing,” said Carmichael, whose writing during his military career was limited primarily to technical writing and letters home from his various assignment locations around the world.

Through his vet network, Carmichael was encouraged to find a program to help veterans entering the civilian workforce. “So when I discovered Fast Forward, the stipend to cover the cost of the WorkKeys exam was important to me – there are eight courses, and I wanted to certify in all eight areas. That could really add up!”

Once Carmichael got started in the free program that prepares veterans – of any war – to take and pass WorkKeys, he worked some at Fast Forward, some with a study group comprised of other veterans trying to better their chances in the civilian workplace, but mostly on-line from home. He mastered the requirements, and when he was ready to take them, the tests were proctored at Fast Forward. He knew almost as soon as he completed the test how he’d scored.

Carmichael began applying for industrial-type jobs. “I still didn't get many callbacks. About this time it was brought to my attention that certifications were cinching the jobs in the Information Technology (IT) arena.

As he progressed he became aware that Fast Forward had scholarships available to tackle becoming A+ certified. “The A+ certification demonstrates competency as a computer technician, which was the background basis of all the jobs I was applying for, including the industrial jobs.”

Carmicheal said Fast Forward provided the study material, including books, software and access to online computer based training in preparation for the A+ exam, which was paid for with the scholarship.

“After securing the A+ certification, the doors started opening,” Carmichael said, “and I started receiving callbacks - finally I could pick and choose which job I would accept. Ultimately, I went with the job located closest to where I live that paid the most.”

With his A+ certification now solidly on his resume, Carmichael learned – again from Fast Forward – that he could continue working on certifications. “I immediately enrolled in the Network+ certification program.” Carmichael explained that Network+ is a certification used to measure skill as a network technician: understanding of network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting. “Being Network+ -certified further advanced my career; it put me into a higher status where I can earn more.”

Realizing there was still more potential to grab, Carmichael went for the Security+ certification. “This too was at no cost to me, like the Workkeys assessments. All of this was provided by Fast Forward. Without them, I would not be where I am today. I love what I’m doing, but there is always room to grow.”