South Raleigh News

North Carolina is set to observe "Employ A Veteran Week" from November 11 to 15, with various events scheduled to assist veterans in finding employment and accessing services. Governor Roy Cooper announced the initiative, highlighting the importance of veterans in the community.

“Veterans strengthen our communities and enrich our businesses as citizens, skilled workers and leaders,” said Governor Cooper. “We owe veterans and their families a deep debt of gratitude for their service, and, as America’s most military and veteran-friendly state, North Carolina honors them by helping them get good jobs in growing industries.”

N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders expressed pride in serving the state's veterans. "It’s our privilege to serve our Veterans, the more than 20,000 military service members who transition from active duty in North Carolina each year, and their families, through our NCWorks Career Centers and other state programs," she stated.

The N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NC DMVA) also emphasized the value that veterans bring to civilian life. “Veterans bring invaluable skills and experiences to our communities and demonstrated resilience, leadership, and dedication during their service," said NC DMVA Secretary Grier Martin.

Events during this period include workshops, job fairs, and informational sessions across multiple locations such as Monroe, Statesville, Lincolnton, Jacksonville, Fayetteville, Hickory, Raeford, Greenville, Salisbury, New Bern, Lenoir, Rockingham County among others. These events aim to connect veterans with employers and provide training opportunities.

The Department of Commerce collaborates closely with the U.S. Department of Labor through 50 NCWorks Veterans Services professionals dedicated to assisting veterans with employment needs. The department has also formed a partnership with North Carolina For Military Employment (NC4ME) for special hiring events.

In addition to local resources provided by NCWorks Career Centers across the state which serve both veterans and employers' talent needs; since 2022 there is an additional national resource available for veteran job seekers via Hilton Honors Military Program offering free accommodation for job-related travel under certain conditions.

The efforts are supported by funding from the Jobs for Veterans State Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment & Training Service amounting $5 million plus grant assistance exclusively directed towards enhancing these initiatives within North Carolina without external financing involvement.

Contact information can be found at www.NCWorks.gov while specific details about accessing services are available on NCWorks Veterans Portal at veterans.ncworks.gov.