Employment Security Director Says Vets Make the Best Workers

To mark the occasion of Veterans Day, November 11, Employment Security Division Director, Rebecca Gamez, of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development is urging Alaska’s employers to consider hiring veterans from among a unique and dedicated labor pool. "Not only have veterans served our country by placing their lives on the line, these men and women are trained in team work with leadership and discipline skills -- excellent qualities for an employee," Ms. Gamez said.

She went on to explain that any employer who wants workers with highly developed skills, many with training in some of the best technical schools, should seriously consider hiring a veteran of military service to fill their next job openings. The Employment Security Division is funded to provide priority employment services to veterans so that they can find and keep good jobs when they transition from military service to the civilian labor force.

Last year the Division provided employment services to over 7,000 of Alaska’s veterans, either through personalized job assistance, workshops, vocational counseling, aptitude and interest testing, and job referrals and placement. Services are provided through the Alaska Job Center Network, a multi-agency approach to "one-stop" employment and training in 22 job centers across the state. Widely popular are the job center self-service computer rooms, where job seekers can look for jobs in both Alaska’s and America’s Job Banks. On any given day, over a million jobs are listed between both sites. Specially trained vet representatives, employment specialists who serve only veterans, are available through all job centers.

Employers interested in hiring veterans should call the nearest job center and ask about services for veterans, or visit www.jobs.state.ak.us