Christie Administration Launches Month-Long Veteran Hiring Initiative

On Nov 10, 2014

Honoring the hundreds of thousands of service men and women living in New Jersey, the Christie Administration is commemorating Veterans Day by linking the Garden State’s veterans and military spouses to employment opportunities and other services throughout the month of November.

The state departments of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) and Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) frequently collaborate to organize, support and participate in initiatives specifically targeting veterans, including career and hiring fairs, opportunity and resource events known as “Stand Downs,” training workshops and meetings with motivational speakers. Those initiatives frequently involve partnerships with organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion, which operate the “Hiring Our Heroes” campaign; the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, New Jersey businesses, local government and county colleges, and other state agencies.

“As we salute our veterans and their sacrifices this month, we also want to recognize the debt of gratitude we owe our military members and their families. My department is committed to providing our returning servicemen and servicewomen, as well as those who served in the past, the tools they need to reach their career and employment goals. Their sacrifices have enabled us all to enjoy the freedoms we have today.  We are obligated and eager to help them to embark on their own paths to prosperity,” said state Labor Commissioner Harold J. Wirths.

Today, Nov. 10, LWD joined Burlington County College (“BCC”) and its Office of Military Education & Veteran Services for their Veterans Resource Fair, providing information about the programs and services the LWD offers veterans. The event targeted veterans who are students at BCC and its partner schools – Rutgers University, Drexel University in Philadelphia and Wilmington University in Delaware.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, LWD staff will join the Military and Veteran Information Day 2014 at Rowan University in Glassboro and on Thursday, Nov. 13, LWD will join several partners in hosting a three-day “Vets Week” program at the National Guard Armory in Morristown. The LWD will be part of hiring fair to be held at the armory on Thursday, which will be followed by a “Stand Down” that will connect homeless and needy veterans with an array of social services on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15.

“We understand the challenges veterans face when they transition home. As such, the State of New Jersey is focused on providing proper programs and resources,” said Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, The Adjutant General for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.  “Today’s job fair will match employers with talented veterans who will make outstanding employees and is another step in the right direction to ensure New Jersey veterans are afforded employment opportunities after their honorable and faithful service to our state and nation.”

The 2014 Current Population Survey (CPS) report compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states more than 400,000 veterans call New Jersey home. This past fiscal year, July 2013 through June 2014, the New Jersey Labor Department served 21,411 veterans who were searching for employment at its One-Stop Career Centers located throughout the state.

The Christie Administration kicked off its November veteran events by participating in the “Veterans on Wall Street” symposium held Nov. 5, at Goldman Sachs in New York City. The annual event honors former military personnel and employees currently in the National Guard and Reserve by facilitating career and business opportunities in the financial services industry.  On Nov. 8, LWD staff joined Hudson County Community College’s Center for Business and Industry and several of the college’s partners for its Veterans Resource and Job Fair in Jersey City.

The LWD will join in a variety of events this month including:

Wednesday, November 12 (10 am to 3 pm)

Military and Veteran Information Day 2014, Rowan University in Glassboro

 

Thursday, November 13 (8 am to 3 pm)

Veteran Hiring and Resource Fair, National Guard Armory in Morristown

 

Friday, November 14 (9 am to 12:30 pm)

Veteran Job Fair, Stockton College in Galloway

 

Friday & Saturday, November 14 & 15 (9 am to 3 pm)

Stand Down, National Guard Armory in Morristown

 

Wednesday, November 19 (10 am to 2 pm)

Veterans Resource and Employment Fair, Wildwoods Convention Center in Wildwood

 

Thursday, November 20 (8:30 am to 2 pm)

Veterans Resource & Opportunity Job Fair, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset

 

For detailed information about these veterans events, go to www.Jobs4Jersey.com, click “Veterans” on the left navigation, then click “Veterans Employment Events” on the blue bar or call (609) 292-2075.

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