Veterans Day has passed, but the need to support the men and women in uniform doesn’t end. While there are many ways to show appreciation for our veterans, from better battle equipment to better health care, it’s hard to imagine anything more meaningful than helping veterans find a job when they re-enter civilian life. That’s the goal of North Carolina’s “I Hire Military” initiative, which Gov. Beverly Perdue announced this week.
The campaign is open to any business that pledges to hire veterans and their spouses “whenever practical,” It also can help vets seeking jobs connect with businesses wanting to hire them. N.C. businesses and veterans who are interested in the program can get more information and sign up at www.ihiremilitary.org.
With the current high unemployment rates, many people ó non-veterans as well as veterans ó are looking for work. Companies have to make their decisions based on who’s best qualified for a particular position. But veterans can bring valuable skills and experience to the workplace. More importantly, they can bring qualities that are desirable in any position or setting. Veterans often have leadership experience. They’re trained to be disciplined, adaptable and dedicated to their missions. They know the value of collaboration and cooperation. By hiring a vet, a company can strengthen its workforce while also supporting the troops.