Why Employers Should Explore The Veteran’s Initiative
Today, there are nearly 1 million unemployed military veterans in the United States, according to the House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs. For some veteran groups, the Department of Labor reports, unemployment is more than 20-percent higher than the national average. How are businesses still struggling to find good talent when it appears to be abundant? Here, Northwest Commission Executive Director Jill Foys speaks about the recently launched Veteran’s Initiative.
Please explain what the Northwest Commission is and the services it provides.
The Northwest Commission is an Oil City-based, public, nonprofit regional resource for economic and business development, as well as community development and planning. The Commission is dedicated to sustaining economic vitality and growth in the northwest Pennsylvania region by fostering local, state and federal partnerships across public and private sector lines. The Commission offers business and economic development programs such as government contracting, business financing and international marketing assistance. We also provide community development and planning services such as transportation and technology assistance to municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations to help communities stay progressive. These services are offered to Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties.
One of the Northwest Commission’s newest programs is its Veteran’s Initiative. Tell us what it is and how the program works.
The Northwest Commission has contracted with RecruitMilitary, a military-to-civilian recruitment firm staffed by veterans to assist veterans and their spouses in their search for employment. Employers in the Northwest Commission service area have access to post unlimited job openings on the RecruitMilitary job board when registering through the Northwest Commission. Typically, an employer would have to pay to use RecruitMilitary’s services, including posting open positions to the job board, but the Commission has made this service available for free. RecruitMilitary is free of charge to veterans and their spouses to use. The goal of the initiative is to help address the workforce needs of employers in the region.
Why did the Northwest Commission decide to launch this initiative?
Many of the businesses in the region have expressed an interest in contracting with employment sites like RecruitMilitary but have found it to be cost prohibitive. The Northwest Commission’s Board of Directors has endorsed our role as contracting partner, giving employers the opportunity to use this service free of charge. Our hope is that this can become another tool in the workforce development toolbox to address the needs of our companies. We also anticipate it attracting businesses to the region because of its diversified workforce.
What are the benefits to employers, veterans and their spouses?
Many veterans have the transferable skills that our businesses require but have difficulty finding. Employers can now post jobs free of charge and recruit some of the top talent in America. These veterans bring many soft skills that employers are looking for but also bring a magnitude of other skills, as well. Veterans often possess leadership qualities and management skills that many employers are seeking. Veterans and their spouses can display their skills and connect with employers looking to hire.
How long will this program be made available?
We launched this program on October 1, 2015 and the service will be offered until September 30, 2016. We encourage employers that are currently hiring or planning to hire in the future to register so we can continue to evaluate the program and make sure it best serves the needs of the employers in our eight-county region.
How can employers learn more?
Employers, veterans and spouses can learn more about RecruitMilitary at www.recruitmilitary.com. To learn more about the Commission’s Veteran’s Initiative, visit www.northwestpa.org/veterans-initiative/. They can also learn more about the initiative through the Commission’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Interested individuals can also email the Commission at NWC@northwestpa.org.
