Snyder proclaims Hire a Veteran Month, announces resources to aid career transition

Last week Gov. Rick Snyder declared November as Hire a Veteran Month and announced a series of upcoming career fairs for veterans, urging Michigan employers to do more to help returning veterans make the transition from military service to employment. "Veterans have been tried and tested in the toughest of circumstances," Snyder said. "Michigan employers who hire these returning heroes benefit from both the leadership and technical skillsveterans bring to the job, as well as a wide range of federal and state incentives designed to defray costs and lower their tax burden." The governor's Hire a Veteran Month proclamation, issued in conjunction with the Veterans' Services Division of the Michigan Workforce Development Agency, points to a variety of programs designed to benefit both veterans and the employers who hire them. The Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program is a federal program that offers incentives to employers that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities. Michigan's Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program provides up to $9,600 in tax credits for hiring certain veterans. The governor also announced Operation Vet Connection 2012, a series of career and resource fairs designed to bring together employers with available positions and veterans looking for new career opportunities. Dozens of Michigan businesses have registered to participate in Vet Connect 2012 events in mid-and west Michigan, providing veterans an opportunity to network with hiring employers, showcase their skills and specialized training, and schedule job interviews. Sponsored by the Michigan Veterans' Services Division, the Michigan Army National Guard and the Michigan Air National Guard, the career fairs are exclusively for veterans will not be open to the general public. Employers wishing to take part in any of the upcoming career and resource fairs should contact the Michigan Veterans' Services Division at (800) 455-5228. At the inaugural Vet Connection Career Fair held in Lansing last year, more than 60 Michigan businesses participated on site and at least 45 Michigan veterans were hired in to new positions. In last December's Special Message on Talent Development, Snyder highlighted the unique characteristics veterans bring to the job, including leadership and a strong work ethic. He also cited their real-world work experience and transferrable skills--qualities Michigan employers can tap to benefit their businesses and help grow Michigan's economy. He challenged Michigan employers to consider veterans when making hiring decisions and to help the veterans they employ access the full range of benefits available to them. The Michigan Veterans' Services Division, part of the state's Workforce Development Agency, is charged with helping Michigan veterans and their eligible spouses find employment or start a business. A staff of 60 Veterans' Employment Specialists work out of 85 Michigan Works! offices around the state and offer a variety of services to both veterans and employers, including: * Evaluating veterans' skills and developing effective job search plans. * Educating employers on the benefits of hiring veterans, and helping them find skilled veterans for available positions. * Identifying training and educational options to help veterans improve their employability. * Helping returning veterans access federal, state and local resources available to help with the transition from military service to employment. "Hundreds of Michigan military personnel serve our country honorably only to return home and struggle to find a job and support their families," said retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Smith III, director of the Veterans' Services Division. "I join with Gov. Snyder in encouraging Michigan employers who have thrived in this time of conflict to give our vets a shot at a good job and a new start." For additional information on benefits to employers for hiring veterans, visit www.dol.gov/vets/ to explore federal resources, or visit www.mitalent.org/hire-a-vet/. Published: Mon, Nov 12, 2012

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