AUGUSTA — With 36 days left in the 2021 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign, the The Maine Department of Labor is close to reaching its goal of 100 hires within 100 days. Since this year’s kick-off hiring event on August 26, 2021, 156 employers have signed on to the hiring campaign and have reported over 70 hires so far.

The Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign seeks to engage at least 100 employers to hire 100 veterans in 100 days.

“Mainers have a long history of serving their country and when they return to their communities, veterans bring their hard-earned skills to meet our civilian workforce needs,” Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said, in a news release. “This Veterans Day, we want to take a moment to honor and celebrate all of the veterans of our state and to make sure they know that our Veteran’s Representatives are here to support their career goals. I encourage employers to work with their local CareerCenter year-round to connect with veterans seeking employment, and for job seekers to check out the remaining events of this year’s campaign.”

Many employers wait until the end of the campaign to report all of their hires. If your business is a campaign partner, you can report your hiring efforts throughout the campaign on the Maine Department of Labor website.

In support of the campaign, the Department has held three hiring events with 199 employers and 130 job seekers participating, as well as seven weekly educational programs on a variety of topics attended by over 100 people.  

Upcoming Hire-A-Vet Events: There are two more virtual hiring events planned before the end of the campaign on December 16. Both events are open to all jobseekers. Registration is required for both employers and job seekers.

November 18, 2021 from 1 – 4 p.m.
December 9, 2021 from 1 – 4 p.m. This event will feature Maine Hire A Vet Campaign sponsoring employers.

More information on how to register for these and other upcoming hiring events can be found here: https://www.mainecareercenter.com/employment/hiringevents/

Aside from the yearly Hire-A-Vet Campaign, MDOL staff work year-round to help veterans reach their career goals. An example of just one veteran who received services is Shawn, who after working with an MDOL veteran’s representative was hired as an auto service writer close to home: 

“I am a 50-year-old Service-Connected Disabled Veteran who has felt stuck for the past 15 years driving tractor trailers. I definitely did not have the faith or courage to actually move forward with any of my aspirations before meeting the MDOL Veteran Representative [in my area],” Shawn said. “I was provided the opportunity to take some online evaluations to determine my likes/dislikes, strengths/weaknesses and career fields that I may be suited for based upon those results. [At my appointment] I was met with a smile and sense of enthusiasm that was contagious. After it was explained to me what my results meant, I had a very clear understanding of where my efforts should be focused. From that day I believed in myself again. I walked through the lobby with a sense of purpose, a sense of pride and confidence that I had not experienced in years. I am eternally grateful for all that [the Maine Department of Labor representative] has done for me.” 

For more information on services for veterans and how to get involved in the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign, visit www.mainecareercenter.gov.

“The Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign would not be possible without the contributions of our many sponsors,” said the release. “A special thank you to our Gold Sponsor-General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works; Silver Sponsors-Maine Bureau of Veteran Services, Maine Department of Corrections, Evergreen Home Performance, and Vortex Services; and Bronze Sponsors-Destination Occupation, Moody’s Collision Centers, Northern Light Health and Reed & Reed.”