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05-08-2006

Page history last edited by PBworks 17 years, 6 months ago

May 8, 2006

HEALEY CALLS ON MORE EMPLOYERS TO HIRE VETERANS

Veteran employment push part of National Military Appreciation Month in May

 

Lieutenant Governor Healey today urged more Massachusetts employers to consider hiring veterans during a statewide veterans’ employment conference hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Career Services.

 

“As a Commonwealth, we need to continue to be proactive to connect members of our Armed Forces to meaningful employment opportunities,” said Healey. “These courageous men and women deserve more than medals for what they have sacrificed—they deserve good jobs.”

 

Healey said the national the unemployment rate for veterans is as high as 15 percent, more than triple the current national unemployment rate of 4.7 percent.

 

Since Governor Mitt Romney designated November 2005 as “Hire-a-Veteran Month” in Massachusetts, the Departments of Veterans’ Services has contacted Massachusetts employers to encourage them to consider hiring a veteran. To date, more than 800 employers have indicated that they would consider becoming a “Veteran Friendly” employer and would emphasize hiring a veteran as part of their recruitment and hiring plans. Participating employers will be recognized at a State House ceremony next month.

 

“This conference is another example of the Commonwealth’s long history of helping its veterans,” said Secretary Tom Kelley, Department of Veterans’ Services. “The unacceptably high unemployment rate of our recently returned veterans is being addressed here today. The workforce development partners here are working toward finding opportunities for today’s veterans to be competitive in the 21st century workforce.”

 

Healey highlighted the work of the disabled veterans outreach specialists and local veterans employment representatives who provide veterans with employment and other support services at each of Massachusetts’ 32 One-Stop Career Centers.

 

The 32 One-Stop Career Centers served over 10,300 veterans in 2005 and nearly 6,300 veterans have received assistance from the state this year.

 

Director of Workforce Development Jane C. Edmonds said, “Events likes these are important to helping veteran employment specialists get the tools and information needed to improve their capacity to service veterans at One-Stop Career Centers.”

 

Edmonds noted that there has been progress made in terms of veterans who have entered into employment with higher wages. Last year, veterans entering into employment through the One-Stop Career Center system received an average hourly wage of $15.05, while the first half of this fiscal year, average hourly wages are as high as $16.58.

 

“Our service members and their families sacrifice so much for us,” said Brigadier General Oliver J. Mason, Jr., Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard. “This conference is an excellent way to make sure that, in return, we provide our veterans with the opportunity for future success.”

 

Employers wishing to post a job or recruit a veteran should contact their local One-Stop Career Center. To locate a Career Center, call toll-free 1-877-US2-JOBS or visit www.mass.gov/careercenters.

 

 

 

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