Vet News: Filner Calls on Private Sector, Government to Recognize the Value of Veterans in America's Workforce

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, May 26, 2010, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) led a roundtable discussion to review the status of veteran employment, highlight the success of top military-friendly businesses, discuss stakeholder plans for improving veteran employment access in all sectors, and identify steps Congress can take to assist veterans obtain employment. The roundtable format allows participants to share relevant information in a more conversational and less-formal setting.

Participants discussed the current rates of unemployment among veterans, and the issue of veterans’ employment in the federal government. At the moment, veteran unemployment rates are hovering at 10.2% for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, as compared to 7.8% unemployment for other veterans, and 9.1% unemployment of their non-veteran counterparts. Participants also discussed higher than normal rates of unemployment among young veterans and female veterans.

“The challenges facing veterans as they seek to join the civilian work force have been compounded by a tougher economic outlook than usual,” said Chairman Filner. “Though this most recent generation of veterans may be younger than the rest of our current veteran population, we must work together to ensure that all returning veterans who are seeking jobs can find them.”

On November 9, 2009, President Barrack Obama initiated steps to augment the hiring of veterans within the federal workforce. Under Executive Order 13518, the President established an Interagency Council on Veterans to assist him in meeting this goal and required that each agency develop a Veterans Employment Initiative to execute the goal.

Ideas for improving employment options included enhanced transition programs and career counseling for separating service members, improved promotion and advertisement of existing federal programs, and acceptance of military training to obtain related state occupational licensing. Participants relayed a need for veterans to better translate military experience into civilian skills as well as a centralized index of veteran resumes for private sector positions.

“Our Nation’s workforce stands to become more skilled and productive as a result of the leadership and dedication of veterans,” said Chairman Filner. “These men and women have made serious life-or-death decisions, cared for comrades, managed personnel, and been responsible for millions of dollars worth of equipment. It is time our society truly understands the intangible value of America’s veteran force.”

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Participant List

1. Ruth Fanning, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service
2. Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
3. Willie L. Hensley, Assistant Director of Human Resources and Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
4. The Honorable John Berry, Director, Office of Personnel Management
5. The Honorable Ray Jefferson, Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor
6. Pauline “Polli” K. Brunelli, Acting Executive Director, National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, U.S. Department of Defense
7. David M. DuBois, Director of Operations, Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy, U.S. Department of Defense
8. Janet S. Salotti, Chief, National Guard Bureau Joint Yellow Ribbon Program Office, U.S. Department of Defense
9. Bob Simoneau, Deputy Executive Director, National Association of State Workforce Agencies
10. Brian Hawthorne, Legislative Director, Student Veterans of America
11. Tim Embree, Legislative Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
12. Shad Meshad, President, National Veterans Foundation
13. Brooks Hulitt, Managing Director, Wall Street Warfighters Foundation
14. Robert W. Madden, Assistant Director of Economic Commission, The American Legion
15. Tom Zampieri, Director of Government Relations, Blinded Veterans Association
16. Christine O. Hill, Director, Congressional and Government Affairs, Wounded Warrior Project
17. Marshall Hanson, Director of Legislation and Naval Services, Reserve Officers Association
18. Roy Schroer, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, Union Pacific Railroad
19. Bob Lockett, Assistant Vice President for Military Programs, USAA Financial
20. Pamela Hardy, Diversity Recruiting Manager, Booz Allen Hamilton
21. Ted Daywalt, President, VetJobs, Inc.
22. Mary Kane, Director, Special Projects, U.S. Chamber of Commerce