Governor Dayton Proclaims “Hire a Veteran Month” in Minnesota 

Proclamation recognizes 337,000 Minnesota veterans for their service, ahead of Veterans Career Fair in Brooklyn Park

State of Minnesota offers a variety of resources to help connect veterans with employment opportunities

ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed the month of July, 2018 to be “Hire a Veteran Month” in the State of Minnesota. Governor Dayton’s proclamation encourages all Minnesota employers to help connect military service members with employment opportunities during the month of July, and to continue hiring veterans throughout the year.

“Hiring a veteran is one of the best investments a business can make,” said Governor Dayton. “Veterans learn fast, and possess many invaluable skills, such as leadership, dedication, and strong work ethics. During ‘Hire a Veteran Month,’ I strongly encourage employers to hire highly-talented and well-trained Minnesota veterans.”

As part of “Hire a Veteran Month”, Governor Dayton encourages Minnesota veterans to attend the 12th Annual Veteran’s Career Fair taking place on Wednesday, July 18 from 2:00 – 6:00pm. Hosted by Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in Brooklyn Park, this event is the largest veterans career fair in Minnesota, and connects current or former veterans looking for a job or exploring new career options to employers. You can find more information about the 2018 Veteran’s Career Fair here.

“More than 337,000 veterans call Minnesota home, and many are currently contributing to the state’s strong economy,” said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. “Veterans are equipped to enter the workplace with the needed skills. In a time when Minnesota is projected to see workforce shortages all across the state, it becomes even more important to make sure all Minnesotans have access to quality, meaningful employment.”

“Hiring Minnesota veterans is good for business and helps support our heroes who have sacrificed so much for our state and nation,” said Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito. “Veterans can perform at the highest levels under all kinds of pressures and conditions which make them valuable team members for Minnesota companies and organizations.”

To read Governor Dayton’s full proclamation, click here.

Connecting Veterans with Employment Opportunities

“Hire a Veteran Month” is part of a broader effort by the Dayton Administration to help Minnesota veterans find meaningful, well-paid work. Through recruitment and retention efforts, relationships with veterans organizations and advocates, support for deployed soldiers and their families, and reintegration training, Minnesota is getting our veterans back to work – one soldier at a time. 

The Dayton Administration is also working to connect veterans here at home with employment opportunities. In 2012, Governor Dayton signed a bill into law allowing private employers to implement their own veterans’ preference programs. DEED services for job-seekers serve more than 20,000 veterans every year. Together, these efforts are aimed at providing Minnesota veterans the help they need to find strong employment opportunities.

Resources for Veteran Job Seekers

Minnesota veterans and military service members who are currently searching for a job can benefit from the following initiatives and resources:

DEED Veterans Services – DEED provides specialized staff to assist eligible veterans with employment services to help them prepare for, find, and keep a job – no matter their era of service. This one-stop website provides information and resources for all Minnesota veterans who are seeking employment, including tips on how to find a job, a list of career events for veterans, employment services, and more. Additionally, if you are an employer seeking to hire a veteran, visit this website designed for Minnesota employers.

Minnesota Workforce Centers (WFC) – Veterans seeking employment are encouraged to visit their local Workforce Center. All veterans of all ages and service eras receive Priority of Service in all Minnesota WFC’s. Each center has staff that can provide one-on-one assistance in job searches, provide guidance on resume and cover letter writing, conduct mock interviews, and provide referrals to support services. Each year, Minnesota Workforce Centers serve approximately 20,000 Minnesota veterans. A list of Minnesota Workforce Centers is available here. Veterans can also find their local Workforce Center by calling (888) 213-1422.

MinnesotaWorks – Minnesotaworks.net is a website facilitated by DEED. Veterans can post their resumes there, and identify themselves as veterans so it is easier for employers to find them. Employers can post there open positions at this site at no cost, and can identify themselves as veteran friendly employers, so that veterans can easily find them. 

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) – The MDVA has a website dedicated to helping Minnesota veterans connect to employment resources. The website also has links and helpful information for employers that want to hire veterans, as well as information about on-the-job training and apprenticeships, state veterans preference laws, and tips for veterans who own businesses.

Yellow Ribbon Company Program – Throughout Minnesota, companies and corporations are making a commitment to military service members and veterans. The Yellow Ribbon Company Program is one example of how Minnesota companies go above and beyond. This program allows companies to make a formal and meaningful commitment to hiring veterans. More information about the Yellow Ribbon Company Program can be found here.