OCEANSIDE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A delegation from the State of Wisconsin is in Camp Pendleton today to launch a transitioning veteran outreach program to help fill the more than 90,000 job opportunities in the state.
The delegation of representatives from state government and Wisconsin businesses will highlight the state’s career and lifestyle opportunities at the Hiring Our Heroes Transition Summit that will take place on Aug. 29-30. Hiring Our Heroes is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a non-profit organization, aimed at helping the nearly 250,000 annual transitioning service members and their spouses prepare for civilian careers.
Leading the country in offering the most state-funded benefits to veterans and their families, Wisconsin is the first and only state to nationally and internationally partner with Hiring Our Heroes to encourage transitioning military personnel and their spouses to live and work in the state once they leave the service.
Representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, along with Wisconsin business WPS Health Solutions, will engage one-on-one with service members to highlight the businesses in Wisconsin that are recruiting transitioning veterans as well as the quality of life attributes the state has to offer them and their families.
“Wisconsin has long led the nation in state benefits for veterans and their families. And now we are leading the nation in employment, endeavoring to get veterans AND spouses jobs several months prior to their separation from service,” said Daniel J. Zimmerman, secretary, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. “Wisconsin understands the incredible contributions veterans and their families make to the communities in which they live and we look forward to welcoming them to our great state.”
“The service members and military spouses who attend our events are looking to connect with the resources and tools they need to successfully transition out of military service and into civilian life,” said Eric Eversole, president at Hiring Our Heroes and vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “We are honored that the State of Wisconsin is partnering with us to showcase their commitment to our veterans and their families as they invite them to work, live, and thrive in their state.”
Veterans who have settled in Wisconsin say the state’s employers offer numerous opportunities for those about to enter civilian life.
“Since moving to Wisconsin, I’ve had a lot of great career opportunities. I don’t have a college degree, but companies here in Wisconsin view veterans as though we do have a college degree,” said Karl Johnson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who is now the vice president of sales at Lippert Flooring and Tile in Menomonee Falls, Wis. “[Veterans] have an unbelievable work ethic and we’ve shown commitment by following through on our service.”
“Wisconsin is a great state for veterans to reside because of the opportunities for education and employment,” added Charles Williams, a member of the Army Reserve stationed in Florida who plans to return to Wisconsin in October. “Wisconsin also provides veterans with resources to assist them with pursuing entrepreneurship. There is a lot of community support and Wisconsin has one of the largest outdoor recreation communities for families to enjoy.”
Following the Camp Pendleton event, the Wisconsin delegation will attend the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Hiring Our Heroes event in Washington on Sept. 25-26.
The transitioning veterans initiative is part of the state’s $6.8 million targeted, multiagency campaign to attract talent to Wisconsin. The state’s talent and attraction efforts embody Think-Make-Happen In Wisconsin®, a new unifying message that celebrates Wisconsin as a premier destination for business, career and personal fulfillment.
To find out more about Wisconsin and what it offers for veterans, visit InWisconsin.com/veterans.
