2016 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign Launches September 1

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The 2016 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign will take place over 100 days, starting with its kick-off event on Sept. 1 in Augusta. The goal of the statewide campaign is to commit at least 100 employers to recruit veterans and with the result of at least 100 veterans hired.

"Through the Hire-A-Vet campaign, more employers are discovering the value veterans bring to their workforce," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Ann and I fully support this successful initiative, and look forward to helping make this year’s effort reach more employers and get more veterans good paying careers in our state. Whether you are a veteran or an employer, we urge you to connect with this campaign to help us meet Maine’s workforce needs. Veterans’ skills include teamwork, leadership, technology and tremendous discipline that can benefit all of our businesses."

The campaign provides support for employers to expand the hiring of veterans, to include a network of state and federal agencies, resources and nonprofits; education on military language and culture; assistance with recruiting, hiring, assimilation and retention; a Veteran Hiring Toolkit and recognition for the hiring and advancement of veterans.

The Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign kicks-off at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 1 at the Augusta Armory, 179 Western Avenue. Opening remarks will include Governor Paul LePage, First Lady Ann LePage, Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette, Adjutant General Douglas Farnham, State Human Resources Director Joyce Oreskovich and a video featuring 2015 Maine Hire-A-Vet employer Goodwill Industries of Northern New England and a Veteran Hire, Ryan Suga.

Following the opening remarks, up to 80 employers will be recruiting veterans and non-veterans at a hiring fair from 9 a.m. to noon. Employers can take part in "Military Culture 101" from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (registration required) to learn about structure, branches, ranks, pay grades, culture, language, discipline and qualities they can count on when hiring veterans. And veterans can hear from employers about what they are looking for in applicants and how to present themselves in a resume and in person at the "HR Panel for Veterans" from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (registration required).

The kick-off event is open to the public. Employers interested in exhibiting at the hiring fair or attending "Military Culture 101" as well as veterans interested in attending the "HR Panel for Veterans" need to register with Steven Roy, Campaign Coordinator, at 207-624-5156 or MaineHireAVet.DOL@maine.gov. TTY users call Maine Relay 711.

Veterans’ employment representatives are available throughout the state and can visit employers to assist them in finding qualified veterans and provide information on the benefits of hiring veterans. Employers or veterans can contact campaign coordinator, Steven Roy, at 207-624-5156 for more information. Employers and veterans can also contact their local CareerCenter, and a list of CareerCenters is available at http://www.mainecareercenter.com/locations/index.shtml.

The campaign will focus on jobs paying at least a wage of $12 per hour, but all employers with jobs at all pay levels are welcome. Participating employers are not required to hire veterans they interview in order to participate in the campaign.

The 2015 Maine Hire A Vet Campaign, its first year, saw 135 employers participate and report 259 veterans hired, with an average placement wage of $17.89 per hour.

Follow the campaign at www.mainecareercenter.com/hireavet.shtml, on Facebook at @MaineHireAVet and on Twitter with #MaineHireAVet.

The Maine Department of Labor and its CareerCenters, Easter Seals, Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve, Hero2Hired, Live Work in Maine,Maine Bureau of Veterans Services,Transition Assistance Advisors, VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment, VA Office of Rural Health,Veterans Inc.and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment are co-sponsoring this campaign. All partners will be focused on recruiting both veterans and employers.

Maine CareerCenters are equal opportunity providers. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

Media Contacts:
Julie Rabinowitz, Maine Department of Labor, 207-621-5009
Rhiannon Guzelian, Easter Seals, 207-317-0337 

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