A partnership between DemKota Ranch Beef and the US military will provide more employment opportunities for members of the military.

DemKota is only the fourth company in the state to have such a partnership and the first in the Aberdeen area, said Adam Bode, chief operating officer of the beef processing plant on the southern outskirts. west of town. It was formalized at a signing ceremony on November 10 and will be active for the next 10 years.

The partnership was made possible through the Youth Success Partnership, a program within the Army that aims to empower young people to serve their country while preparing for their future in the private sector. It is offered to members of the Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and Army ROTC.

According to a Youth Success Partnership document provided by DemKota, the program complements the “enlistment package” for the US Army Recruiting Command. This kit begins with the Soldier Training Program and continues for the duration of the enlistment, ending with a job interview as part of the Partnership for Youth Success program. Although employment is not guaranteed, all soldiers in the program will get a job interview.

While the partnership prefers companies with 500 or more employees, small businesses are also considered. There is no charge for a business to apply to become a partner.

“DemKota is extremely honored and very excited to become the Army’s newest partner in this network,” said Bode.

He said the partnership will help grow the Aberdeen community, as well as DemKota.

“This networking tool tries to connect us with a great group of individuals who have behaviors and values ​​aligned with our business and gives them a way to find out how great Aberdeen is,” said Bode.

He pointed out that DemKota is always looking to hire locally, but the partnership is one more way to find potential employees.

DemKota already has around 700 people working onsite in Aberdeen, Bode said, and a variety of different positions are currently open. The factory is not only looking for employees with a specific skill and has room for people from different backgrounds.

“We hire based on behavior if you don’t have the specific skills,” he said.

DemKota’s training programs will allow people to learn different skills, but Bode said the company is always open to hiring people with unique skills, such as electricians.

DemKota also has a military service leave policy, allowing those who are not in the military full-time, such as those serving in the National Guard, to maintain full-time employment while performing their duties. military.

According to documentation provided by DemKota, within the National Guard, participants can select up to five partners who will guarantee them a job interview. Companies are selected during the enrollment process, with participants becoming eligible to contact the company for a job interview after completing basic training and advanced one-on-one training. ROTC members can also select up to five companies that will guarantee them a job interview.

Army soldiers are eligible after completing their first enlistment term, which ranges from two to six years. Army Reserve soldiers are eligible immediately after completing basic and vocational training.