283 Veterans Hired During the 2019 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign

February 12, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2020

Media Contact: Jessica Picard, Maine Department of Labor, jessica.l.picard@maine.gov

283 Veterans Hired During the 2019 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign

The annual campaign's goal is for 100+ employers to hire 100+ veterans during 100 days.

AUGUSTA - Final results are in, and a total of 283 veterans were hired during the 2019 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign!

The Maine Hire-A-Vet campaign provides support for employers to expand the hiring of veterans through a network of state and federal agencies, resources and nonprofits, education on military language and culture, recruiting and hiring assistance, and recognition for the hiring and advancement of veterans and military family members.

The 2019 campaign kicked off on August 29 with a hiring fair at the Augusta Civic Center, officially started on Labor Day, and ended on December 9.

The average hourly wage of veterans hired was $22.78, and 254 employers signed on to the campaign. Every county in the state had veteran hires in them. Participating employers also sent 175 staff members to a "Veteran Hiring for Employers" training, which provides a Basic Training approach to aid businesses in recruiting, hiring and retaining veterans.

Veterans have received valuable training during their military service that can transfer to in-demand civilian skills, said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. The Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign helps connect veterans with employers, and employers with the skilled workforce they are looking for.

The 11 businesses that had the most hires during the 2019 campaign were Bath Iron Works/General Dynamics, Northern Light Health, VA Togus -Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), the State of Maine, Dead River Company, Tilson, City of Portland, Casella Waste Systems, Helical Solutions, Maine Veterans Homes, and Estes Oil.

2019 campaign sponsors included: Destination Occupation, Mix Maine Media, Pleasant River Lumber Co., Maine Department of Corrections, Bath Iron Works, Fiber Materials Inc., Darling's, Adecco, and the city of Augusta.

During the 2018 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign, 191 employers participated, and 286 veterans and military family members were hired.

The campaign has connected nearly 900 employers with over 1,300 veteran-hires since its inception in 2015 and has been recognized as a best practice by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).

The Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign is a partnership between the Maine Department of Labor and its CareerCenters, Boots2Roots, Easter Seals and their Veterans Count program, the Maine National Guard Employment Support Program, Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, Transition Assistance Advisors, VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, and State Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment.

Learn more at www.mainecareercenter.gov/hireavet.shtml, and follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mainehireavet.

Veterans, military family members and civilians seeking assistance in job search and training are encouraged to contact their closest Maine CareerCenter, which can be found online at www.mainecareercenter.gov/locations. Veterans Representatives and Career Counselors are available at each location.

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