Robin Wilford served in the Army for five years and three months. She was medically retired in 2000 and since then has been looking for not just a steady job, but a career.
“I’ve filled out a lot of applications and haven’t had any success,” said Wilford.
With hopes of starting a career in in- formation technology, Wilford attended the hiring fair held Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Washington Hilton to make connections with employers.
The unemployment rate is greater than 20 percent among veterans.
Such hiring fairs are part of a nation- wide initiative to help veterans and their spouses find meaningful employment as they assimilate back into civilian life.
The Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with GE and 19 other companies, will hold 400 hiring fairs in 400 different cities in the United States. Hiring fairs include skill training work- shops and resume writing assistance.
From Feb. 13 to 16, GE held an event dedicated to building a more highly skilled workforce to promote and sup- port the nation’s veterans in the workplace. GE plans to launch several new programs throughout the year.
The event brought together leaders from business and politics and centered on manufacturing, innovation, jobs and trade. Over 65 leaders gathered to discuss the opportunities to make the country and its labor force more competitive in the future.
GE pledged to hire 5,000 returning veterans within the next five years during a luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, in Washington D.C..
Business leaders, GE executives, congressional leaders and veterans in need of work attended the luncheon.
Jay Ireland, President and CEO of GE Africa, announced GE’s commitment to hiring 1,000 veterans per
year for the next five years.
David McGinnis, acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, opened the afternoon event by stating, “GE works with veterans more than anyone else.”
By recognizing the skills of veterans, GE has helped employ 7,000 veterans and their spouses since March 2011. In the past year, there have been more than 80 hiring fairs throughout the U.S.
“It’s not about numbers, it’s about creating a movement,” said Kevin Schmiegel, Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Veterans hiring veterans encourages veteran entrepreneurship.”
More than 100,000 veterans have come to work for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), about 4,000 veterans annually. VA comes second in education assistance, only to the Department of Education.
“We must serve them as they served us,” said Eric Shinseki, Secretary of VA. “Veterans set an admirable example of selfless service.”
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray addressed the issue of veterans who are discouraged by the job market. Veterans may have the skills needed for employment, but lack the needed assistance.
There is a certain stigma about hiring the men and women who have served their country. Some have
even been reluctant to indicate being a veteran on resumes.
Sen. Murray, Chairwoman of the VA Committee, encouraged business owners to “get the word out to other companies about the importance of hiring veterans.”
She also insisted companies should provide job training, develop an internal veterans group and reach out to community colleges and universities.
Allen Matthews served in the Navy for three years and since then has been looking for employment for the past four and a half years.
Matthews liked the idea of the hiring fair. “You get the chance to meet face to face with someone rather than applying online and submitting resumes,” he said. “You get to interact with employers.”
With experience in the field of engineering, Matthews hopes to find a career as a mechanical engineer or in customer service. He has been working with various temp agencies but hopes to find a more meaningful career.
“I’ve submitted resumes online, but don’t get a call back,” he said.
