“I Want to Hire Veterans. Now, Where Are They?”

As I filter in and out of classes and seminars at the National Veterans Small Business Conference, I overhear conversations that have a similar thread. Veteran business owners would like to work with fellow Vets and take advantage of hiring incentives, but they don’t know how to find folks to fill their positions, or about incentives that come with hiring service-connected Veterans.

An arm of Vet Success has stepped up to address the first issue. A search portal allows Veterans and businesses to search for VA and non-VA resources that can connect employers with potential employees. And a job board serves as a way to get résumés noticed. A link sidebar on the right lists more websites like Monster to submit a résumé. Employers can also contact their local Voc Rehab office to track down suitable candidates for open positions.

As far as the incentives, employers can expect:

On the Job Training Program

Employer hires Veteran at an apprentice wage and VR&E supplements the salary up the journeyman wage (up to maximum allowable under OJT)

Special Employer Incentive Program

This program is used for Veterans facing extraordinary obstacles to employment. A Veteran is placed in an OJT or a work experience with an employer. VR&E can reimburse the employer up to 50 percent of the Veteran’s salary for up to six months. The employer is also eligible for a federal tax credit for hiring an individual who participated in a vocational rehabilitation program.

Non-Paid Work Experience Program

A Veteran is placed in a local, state, or Federal government office. The placement does not count against the agency’s FTE and the agency does not pay the Veteran. VR&E pays the Veteran monthly subsistence allowance while the Veteran is participating in the program.

Existing tax benefits range from $2,400 to $9,600 for employers who hire service-connected Veterans.

As jobs and employment continue to be a central focus in the news, it becomes imperative that businesses are reminded about the double-incentive of staffing Veterans. Not only do they possess skills employers need, but they can receive much-needed tax breaks to help grow their company in a time of economic uncertainty.

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