HIRE Vets: News from the Monthly DOL VETS and VSOs Meeting
At the latest monthly meeting between U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS) and personnel and leaders from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) around the country, one of the main topics of discussion was expanding opportunities and incentives for employers looking to hire veterans.
The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act, or HIRE Vets Act of 2017, signed into law in May by President Trump, establishes the Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Program, which recognizes employers who recruit, retain, and employ veterans, and who provide charitable support to veteran communities. For more information on this DOL program, click here.
“The Department of Labor looks forward to shining a spotlight on employers who make hiring veterans a priority and encouraging other employers to hire our nation’s heroes,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta.
And here’s a brief roundup of VSOs offering services and resources, shared at this month’s VETS and VSOs meeting, to help veterans find employment:
- Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) – Transition and Career services, including upcoming career events, tools and resources, networking community, mentorship, and more.
- Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) – Warriors to Work provides transition resources for veterans wounded during their service. Resources include a financial guide for transitioning veterans, and a free Career Boot Camp for veterans and their families. Additionally, WWP provides resources for employers looking to hire veterans.
- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) – The nonprofit IAVA features a Careers Program for service veterans from war in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as an emphasis in 2017 on women veterans support and advocacy.
As always, visit dol.gov/vets and veterans.gov for more employment, transition, and training resources, and news. And for something to celebrate: DOL VETS announced in June that veterans unemployment is at 3.4%—the lowest rate in ten years!