More than 195 Veterans Hired through Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign Bookmark and Share

March 2, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2017 Media Contacts: Julie Rabinowitz, Maine Department of Labor, 207-621-5009

AUGUSTA?Employers participating in the 2016 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign hired 197 veterans during its 100-day initiative. Launching last Labor Day and ending on December 13, 2016, with final numbers collected in January due to the length of hiring processes, 146 employers participated in the campaign, with an average placement wage of $22.23 per hour reported. Employers and veteran-hires came from all 16 Maine counties.

?For the past two years, the Maine Hire-A Vet campaign has educated employers about the value veterans bring to our workforce,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?We have made the second year of the campaign as successful as our first year, connecting veterans and employers. Know that resources are available year-round through our CareerCenters and project partners to ensure that our veterans can obtain a great job with a great Maine employer. Ann and I fully support Hire-A-Vet. We want our veterans who have given so much to our nation to return home to good-paying careers that take advantage of the skills developed by service in the Armed Forces.?

The campaign provided 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; and recognition for the hiring and advancement of veterans.

One-hundred-and-twenty Maine Hire-A-Vet employers took part in Military Culture 101 training, where attendees received education on the veterans' perspective on discipline, loyalty, following orders and giving direction, problem solving and more. They also learned how a veteran's experience can transition to the workplace.

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 the MDOL Veterans? Program Manager, Auta Main, at (207) 623-7975 or auta.m.main@maine.gov for more information. Employers and veterans can also contact their local CareerCenter; a list of CareerCenters is available at http://www.mainecareercenter.gov .

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

The Maine Department of Labor and its CareerCenters, Easter Seals, Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve, Hero2Hired, Live + Work in Maine, Transition Assistance Advisors, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), VA Office of Rural Health, Veterans Inc., and the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services co-sponsored the campaign. All partners 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.

A list of 2016 Maine Hire-A-Vet Employers can be found online at: http://www.mainecareercenter.gov/hireavet.shtml

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