BOSTON – In recognition of Massachusetts’ dedicated, highly skilled and hard-working veterans, Governor Deval Patrick proclaimed November 2013 as “Hire a Veteran Month.”
“It is imperative that we honor the brave men and women who have served our country by giving them the resources to find good jobs at good wages,” said Patrick. “By working with employers and providing training for the jobs that are open, we will grow opportunity for our veterans and strengthen our economy.”
As part of “Hire A Veteran Month,” the Patrick administration is collaborating with regional workforce partners on a series of events, career fairs, and training sessions that will take place in every region of the Commonwealth throughout November.
There will be a Veteran Job Fair from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Career Point on 850 High Street in Holyoke. This job fair will include Veteran Partners and Employers who are actively hiring.
“The Patrick administration is proud to collaborate across state agencies and with organizations throughout the Commonwealth to host and support a series of events in November and during the year to promote employment opportunities for veterans,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Joanne F. Goldstein. “‘Hire A Veteran Month’ complements the administration’s ongoing work and partnership with academia, the private sector, and workforce organizations to assist veterans during their transition to civilian life and long-term employment.”
Massachusetts is a leading provider for veteran services, and the Patrick administration continues to implement employment assistance and workforce training programs for members of the armed forces, veterans and their spouses. Veterans receive priority service at each of the Department of Career Services (DCS) 32 One-Stop Career Centers around the Commonwealth. Each One-Stop Career Center has at least one staff member dedicated to assisting veterans. In the last fiscal year, DCS provided services to approximately 14,000 veterans in the Commonwealth.
Earlier, the Patrick administration announced it has more than doubled cash grants available to employers hiring Massachusetts veterans regardless through the state’s Hiring Incentive Training Grant program. Any for-profit company and non-profit organization that contributes to the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund are encouraged to apply. Eligible employers may now apply for grants of $5,000 for each new hire who meets the Hiring Incentive Training Grant program requirements. Employers may receive up to $75,000 each calendar year. Upon approval, payment will be available to the employer once the new hire has retained employment for at least 120 days.
As part of the Patrick administration’s campaign to encourage companies to hire and train veterans, the administration is also partnering with major trade associations. As part of an initiative first launched two years ago, trade associations are encouraged to hire veterans, circulate information on veterans’ benefits and educate local employers about the skills service members gain the military.
“Employment is a critical component for a veteran’s successful transition back into civilian life,” said Secretary of Veterans Services Coleman Nee. “Massachusetts leads the nation in veterans’ services and with the partnerships developed with DCS, business organizations and veteran organizations we are maximizing resources to provide our veterans with the employment opportunities they have earned.”
As part of a statewide initiative, DCS and the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) have also worked with the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) to leverage state funding used to train veterans in the manufacturing industry. Collaboration is also underway through the Massachusetts Medical Technology Veteran Program to provide veterans with training and networking opportunities within the medical device and diagnostic industries. Another program, Edge4Vets, is also assisting veterans seeking employment in the biotech industry.
In March of this year, Patrick signed an executive order to help small businesses owned by disabled veterans gain access to contracts for public projects in the areas of construction, design and goods and services procurement and also announced the establishment of guidelines to assist members of the armed forces, veterans and their spouses with professional licenses so that they can prepare and apply for job in the Commonwealth.
To learn more about services for Massachusetts veterans, visit www.mass.gov/veterans or about the Massachusetts Department of Career Services, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcs.
