Need New Talent? Hire a Veteran

HireVetsFirst2If you have positions open in your shop or office or you are planning on expanding, you may want to consider hiring a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces for the job. According to the Veterans’ & Training Service (VETS), veteran unemployment has dropped 23 of the last 24 months to reach a low of 3.9 percent, but that still leaves more than 752,000 able-bodied veterans still unemployed. Many veterans still have a difficult time landing jobs, but plenty of resources as well as tax incentives are available for employers who can help these hard-working Americans earn a decent living.

Where to Find Veterans

Many employers across the country have stated that they would prefer to hire veterans over most other job candidates, but they simply don’t know how to find them. However, several resources are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), other government agencies and several nonprofit organizations.

A great place to start searching for veterans in need of jobs is through the Department of Labor’s dedicated website for veteran employment: Veterans.gov. This program provides one-on-one assistance to veterans through 2,500 American Job Centers in local cities and communities throughout the nation.

In addition to other services for job seekers, the website also provides resources for employers. You can make a public commitment to hire veterans and receive a free hiring toolkit titled America’s Heroes at Work. You can also post job descriptions and current opening and connect with a region al employer outreach specialist who can provide local resources for hiring veterans.

Other resources that could offer assistance in locating veterans in need of work are as follows:

Incentives for Hiring Veterans

The U.S. government provides several incentives to employers who hire veterans, which are detailed in the Guide to Hiring Veterans published by the White House in 2012. While some of the tax incentives in the guide are slightly outdated, a tax guide for 2016 was recently published by Military.com. The primary credit available is the Returning Heroes Tax Credit, which provides an incentive of up to $5,600 for hiring unemployed veterans, and a credit of up $9,600 is offered through the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit. Other credits may also be available through the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

It is also possible for employers to be reimbursed for training some unemployed veterans through the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services. This program pays qualified veterans half of their salary for six to nine months while in training in addition to the tax credits. Finally, you can take part in a non-paid work experience program. In this program, participants are not paid a wage, but they receive a monthly subsistence allowance by the VR&E.

This Memorial Day, consider doing something more to show our veterans you care by offering them the jobs they need to support themselves and their families.