TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed November as Hire a Veteran Month in Florida. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and CareerSource Florida encourage businesses and community leaders to recognize the value of hiring veterans this month for their competent skills, education, leadership, maturity, and dedication learned during military service.  To view the proclamation, click HERE.

Governor Scott said, “As we continue to work to make Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation, we must take this time to recognize November as Hire a Veteran Month. We know that veterans bring many benefits to employers because of their experiences and hard-working attitude. This Veterans Day, I encourage all Floridians to thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice while protecting our nation.” 

Florida is home to nearly 1.5 million veterans, the third largest population of veterans in the nation. DEO and CareerSource Florida, along with the state’s 24 regional workforce boards, work diligently throughout the year to assist veterans, spouses of active-duty military members and their families in finding meaningful employment in Florida. So far this year, nearly 21,000 veterans assisted by Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards have found employment.

DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “November is a great time to thank veterans for their service, and to recognize their value as employees. Veterans are well-trained, typically in highly technical jobs, have the soft skills employers are looking for, and are loyal. Through initiatives like Paychecks for Patriots and Hire a Veteran Month, DEO is dedicated to serving our veterans and making Florida the most veteran friendly state in the nation.”

In partnership with regional workforce boards throughout Florida, DEO and CareerSource Florida held the second annual Paychecks for Patriots event earlier this year. Five hundred employers participated in 17 regional hiring fairs across the state for more than 1,500 attending veterans and their family members. In 2013, nine event locations hosted more than 1,500 veterans with more than 200 employers participating, resulting in nearly 500 job placements statewide. DEO, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, and the CareerSource Florida network are pleased to make Paychecks for Patriots an annual event to recognize and serve Florida’s veteran community. 

“Florida’s large and diverse veteran workforce is major competitive advantage in attracting and growing industry,” said CareerSource Florida President Chris Hart IV. “The CareerSource Florida network provides our veterans priority of service, and works closely with employers to match these talented, focused professionals with career opportunities that benefit their families and communities.”

CareerSource Florida’s regional partners provide Local Veterans Employment Representatives and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program specialists year-round to connect veterans with employment and training opportunities, and the Military Family Employment Advocacy Program to deliver priority workforce services for active duty military spouses and family members near Florida’s major military installations. 

A special employment portal for Florida’s Veterans is available at https://www.employflorida.com/portals/veteran/Default.asp with positions and resources geared towards Veterans. DEO’s Veterans Employment Program promotes the employment of Florida's veterans, especially veterans with barriers to employment. For more information on the program, visit http://www.floridajobs.org/office-directory/division-of-workforce-services/workforce-programs/veterans-employment-program.  

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts.  This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities.  For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.

About CareerSource Florida

CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board of business and government leaders charged with overseeing the CareerSource Florida network, which includes the Department of Economic Opportunity, 24 regional workforce boards and nearly 100 career centers. CareerSource Florida connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity. Learn more at careersourceflorida.com.

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