Helicopter Association International is offering a free workshop on March 6 during HELI-EXPO 2011 in Orlando, Fla. for U.S. military personnel interested in pursuing job opportunities in the civilian helicopter industry.

The Military to Civilian Workshop, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 6 in Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, will help military service members explore civilian career options and ease their transition to civilian life. It is designed for both those retiring from the military and individuals getting out after a first “hitch.” The free admission, available to individuals with valid military ID, includes a one-day’s pass for HELI-EXPO 2011, the world’s largest trade show dedicated to the international helicopter community.

“I’m very sensitive to the challenges of making the transition from the military to civilian workforce, since I made it upon my return from U.S. Army service in Vietnam,” HAI President Matt Zuccaro said. “HAI is committed to assisting those who have served our country in bridging that gap and in serving the needs of our members, who seek job candidates with the training and experience that military careers provide.”

The workshop will review military benefits and resources useful in building a new career and introduce attendees to the helicopter industry, its job opportunities and requirements. It also will offer tips on writing resumes and preparing for interviews, check rides and exams, and discuss the role safety plays in commercial flight operations and an employer’s assessment of prospective candidates.

The instructor, Copterjobs, LLC CEO Debra Irby, has been in aviation for more than 28 years. She served as a mechanic and pilot in the U.S. Army, Reserves and National Guard, including a tour flying CH-47 Chinooks with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan.

Register online, by fax 703-683-2922, by mail at HAI, 1635 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2818 or phone John Fried at 703-302-8444.