How To Hire Veterans [Veteran Hiring Programs + Benefits]

Post A Job For Free, Promote It For A Fee

Post a Job

If you’re looking to hire, it might be in your best interest to actively investigate hiring a veteran. Veterans come into the workplace with skills and work incredibly valuable ethics. There can also be some financial subsidies for hiring veterans. Read on to learn more.

Key Takeaways

• Hiring a veteran is a great opportunity for a business to support the United States and find qualified and eager workers.

• There are many benefits that come with hiring a veteran, from getting a skilled worker to financial benefits, including tax credits.

• Several financial benefits are tied to hiring a veteran and can even include free training or free assistance as you train someone.

• There are many programs that you can take advantage of to learn more about hiring a veteran and to get support after you’ve hired one.

Why Hire Veterans?

Hiring a veteran can be a great option for many organizations looking to increase their workforce or seeking someone to fill a key position. People who have served time in the military have usually received training in a variety of areas, which not only increases their skill level, but they’ve also learned to be adaptable, and they’re used to taking orders and tackling new challenges.

There can be some financial benefits to hiring veterans, including salary subsidies, salary reimbursement, tax credits, assistive technology that may be provided by Veteran Readiness and Employment, and more.

As a company working in the United States, hiring a veteran also supports this country and those who are willing to serve to protect our political system and way of life. You’re doing your part to support those who were willing to put their life on the line for you. Not only that, but there are significant benefits to hiring a veteran.

Benefits of Hiring Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lists several reasons why veterans make good employees.

• Work well in a team setting

• They have a sense of duty

• Realistic estimations of self and ability

• Organized

• Disciplined

• Have strong work ethics

• Will follow through on assignments

• Cross-functional skills

• Rapid and creative problem-solving abilities

• Adaptable

• Ability to follow the rules and schedules

The plusses when hiring a veteran are quite well established when it comes to getting the job done and being a reliable and capable member of a team.

Financial Benefits of Hiring Veterans

In addition to having a great employee when you hire a veteran, there are some associated financial benefits for your company.

• Relocation assistance. The military offers relocation support through several different programs that can help a veteran relocate and learn more about relocating. The Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program, the National Resource Directory, and the Verification of Military Experience and Training can all be useful for veterans and their new employers.

• Tax credits. There are a variety of tax credits available to employers who hire veterans, including the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, the Returning Heroes Tax Credit, and the Wounded Warrior Tax Credit. It’s important to jump on the necessary paperwork as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss an of these benefits.

• Subsidies and reimbursements. The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E;) offers salary subsidies and reimbursements to employers to encourage them to hire veterans. This helps employers manage their costs and allows for an increase in the salary paid to veterans.

• Non-paid work experience (NPWE). This program is run by the Veterans Administration and helps veterans find their dream job by helping them get training and practical job experience. Employers get assistance from the VA during training periods, and they do not have to pay a salary to the veteran during that time; instead, the VA provides a monthly allowance.

How to Hire a Veteran

There is a lot of assistance available if you’re looking to hire a veteran. The Department of labor has a guide for hiring veterans and offers additional assistance throughout the process to ensure you’re making the most of the available programs.

If your job opening can benefit from an apprenticeship or on-the-job training, there are programs designed to train veterans for you. The Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship webpage can guide you through applying for this program and finding a future employee.

When you want someone to slip into the job without an apprenticeship, it’s best to reach out to organizations that support veterans. Creating a veteran resource group within your organization can also help hire, spread the word, onboard, and then support veterans once they are hired.

Finally, creating a job listing that appeals to veterans can help you find willing and able employees. Focus on competencies rather than years of job experience. It’s not about hiring a person who has done the job but about hiring someone who is capable of doing the job.

Hire a Veteran Program

There are many different places you can go to find out how to hire a veteran and a variety of veterans recruitment programs that you can use to find the right employee. The following are just a few available options.

• Regional Veterans Employment Coordinators. These coordinators engage with employers across the country and connect them to available veterans for employment.

• National Labor Exchange. You can post a job opening here, and veterans that are looking for work will be directly taken to the job opening on your corporate website.

• VA.gov Vocational Rehab & Employment Programs. Veterans Administration organizations can help you find and hire veterans who have service-connected disabilities. They can also help you integrate them into your business once you’ve hired them.

• CareerOneStop. This web page has a hiring toolkit, a business center, and recruit and hire information to help you make the right hire.

• DOL ETA. Building Registered Apprenticeship Programs. This website is full of helpful tips and resources that will help you set up an apprenticeship program for your company and future employees.

Hiring a Veteran FAQ

Hiring a veteran is a great idea, but if you’ve never done it before, it can seem daunting, and you can have a lot of questions. Some of the most frequently asked questions are answered below.

1. Can you give preference to veterans when hiring?

   Yes, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, you can give preference to veterans for Federal jobs. Veterans who are eligible for veterans’ preference must understand that it can help them get a job, but it does not guarantee a job and does not apply to internal agency actions.

2. Do companies get tax credits for hiring veterans?

   Yes, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit to private-sector businesses and some non-profits for hiring veterans. To get this tax credit, an employer must apply for and receive certification, verifying that the new hire is a member of a targeted group, which includes veterans.

3. What are the benefits of hiring veterans?

   There are many benefits to hiring veterans, from tax credits to hiring disciplined and dedicated workers. The following is a list of some benefits you may see if you hire a veteran.

   • Tax breaks

   • Salary subsidies during training

   • Some salary reimbursements

   • Free, short-term help as you train a veteran for a job skill

   • Potential free accessibility upgrades to modify your workplace

   • Experienced professionals with a good work ethic

   • People who are able to work under stress and adapt

   • Loyal employees

4. Where can I learn more about hiring a veteran?

   The Department of Labor and local Veterans Administration groups are great resources for hiring a veteran. You might find that they’ll point you in the right direction, whether you’re searching for a veteran to hire, you’ve recently hired a veteran, or you want to get into an apprenticeship program.

Author

Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.