With unemployment at unprecedented rates, “Hiring Our Heroes” is a beacon of opportunity for thousands of veterans nationwide.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched their Hiring Our Heroes program in March 2011. The program, made possible through a partnership with the Joining Forces initiative, aims to hire over one million unemployed military veterans and their spouses. In the next year, they will be hosting 100 hiring fairs with local chambers of commerce across the nation.
Veterans commit their lives to us when they fight on our behalf, and we have a responsibility to show our thankfulness upon their return. When returning from duty, these individuals are armed with leadership and critical-thinking skills, the ability to perform under pressure, a respect for rules, and a goal- and team-oriented sensibility, which are all key qualities of an ideal job candidate. These veterans are primed and ready for the job market, and Hiring Our Heroes intends to connect them with a job that fits their unique skill set.
This initiative complements the president’s jobs proposal that offers tax credits for employers who hire veterans. According to an August press release, “the proposal would offer businesses a maximum tax credit of $2,400 for unemployed veterans hired to fill temporary jobs and $4,800 for those hired to fill full-time permanent positions.”
To date, the Hiring Our Heroes program has already worked with 20 local Chambers to host hiring fairs, bringing together more than 20,000 veterans and military spouses with 1,000 different employers in 16 states. To learn more about the initiative or to find a hiring fair near you, visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s website here: http://www.uschamber.com/veterans