Having Trouble Finding Qualified Talent?
If so, where do America’s veterans fall within your recruitment pipeline?
National Hire A Veteran Day aims to inspire employers to recruit and hire veterans by recognizing the unique skills and values that former soldiers, sailors, air force personnel, Marines and our Coast Guard bring to the workforce. It is also a call to action for hiring companies to encourage veteran job applications. Back in 2017, Congress passed the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) which resulted in the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, a federal award the recognizes a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention and professional development. The Department of Labor, uses National Hire a Veteran Day to see if they have qualified for a HIRE Vets Medallion Award. Some excellent resources for Veteran employment can be found on the Veteran.com Community website.
According to a recent U.S. Census bulletin, about 16.5 million Americans qualify as veterans including 1.7 female veterans. That represents approximately 5.6 percent of the adult population. According to TeamStage, the average annual veteran salary in 2022 was $57,231. Around 55% of veterans cite the military to civilian transitioning process for employment as one of their most difficult post service challenges, despite the fact that 59% of employers report that veterans performed much better or just better than their nonveteran peers. Employers also noted that experience is the main factor in hiring a veteran, apart from traits such as work ethic and perseverance – often associated with military personnel. Leadership experience was also valued by employers as a hiring consideration.
A Good Day to Recognize the Skills, Experience and Work Ethic of our Veterans
Today is a great reminder to employers that they can leverage the steady and capable talent of transitioning service members and deliver on their business goals and help meet their missions for an inclusive workforce. Military personnel are often cross-trained in multiple disciplines and have a wide variety of skills and experiences that can make them great employees. From leadership and communications skills to a strong work ethic fostered through their service, veterans are an asset to the civilian workforce. In 2022, the veteran unemployment rate was down to 2.8% – a significant drop from the prior year at 4.4%.
Please join Lloyd in our mission to help our clients become veteran-ready employers. Today, we are sharing some of the things Lloyd is doing and has done to support our veterans and we are also providing resources for both hiring organizations and for veterans currently in the job market.
Lloyd’s Deployment to Employment Initiatives…
- LLoyd is proud to work with our nation’s veterans. We have made a commitment to support the employment needs of veterans and their families as a component of our social responsibility program and good corporate citizenship efforts. These efforts include:
- Making clients aware of government-related incentives and tax credits for hiring veterans and the rights of employees on military duty.
- Periodically holding Military Appreciation Days at LLoyd offices so that veterans, their spouses and other family members can receive appropriate coaching and mentoring for military-to-civilian transitions.
- Offering free Veterans Employment workshops or free Resume Review sessions which include resume writing, interviewing, job search advice and and employment resources – and/or working with counselors in the community who serve the veteran population and offering our services as guest speakers to their clients.
- Inviting corporate clients to interview Veteran candidates at LLoyd locations or via Zoom Hiring Days and offer custom placement options for hiring Vets.
- Participating in or sponsoring Job Fairs targeted at “Hiring Heroes” Veteran-based audiences.
- Partnering with organization or holding independent clothing drives for donations of business suits and other professional looking attire suitable for job interviews for Veterans who may need help acclimating to the civilian workforce.
- Encouraging candidate referrals from Veterans groups or Department of Labor Advisors to provide specific help to Vets needing employment support.
- Collecting items for Care Packages to be shipped to current service members – done on an as needed basis through community outreach and Veteran group networking.
Here are some helpful clickable links/resources relating to Veterans and Employment…
U.S. Dept. of Labor Veterans Employment Services
The VETS’ Guide to Hiring Veterans – How to Make Veterans Part of Your Workforce
The Special Employer Incentive (SEI) Program which reimburses employers for hiring certain veterans.
Veterans Employment Toolkit – Sharing How to Employ Veterans in Your Workforce
Hire Veterans – Job Search for Veterans
Career OneStop Veteran and Military Transition Center
Workplace Resource Guide for the Veteran Community
To All Veterans – Thank you for your service!