It’s Veterans Day and we are all encouraged to thank a Veteran. This is a welcome gesture, of course. But, what would be even more impactful is to hire one. Veterans of the US Armed Forces are an honored part of the United States labor market. Approximately 200,000 men and women leave the military each year and hope to find civilian employment. These veterans are a great source of talent, that include critical job skills that are profoundly needed by employers in many industries.
US veterans learn important skills and expertise during their service in the military. They are keenly aware of the value of accountability. In addition, they understand how policies and procedures generate constancy, safety, and efficiency. Veterans understand practical ways to manage and achieve goals in even the most demanding conditions. They are trained to lead by example as well as through development, delegation, determination, and drive.
People with a military background possess numerous attributes. These attributes include – but are not limited to– loyalty, leadership, adaptability, multicultural awareness, problem solving, punctuality, reliability, and working as a team. These qualities are a short list of what employers’ value in their employees. Here at Atlas Oil we have many Veterans in our workforce in a variety of positions.
“The military teaches you discipline, commitment, respect, and integrity. These are just some of the many skills I was able to bring along with me to the workforce,” declares Bonnie. Bonnie Nygro is an Air Force veteran and has worked at Atlas for over 16 years in various positions. “We know what an “honest day’s work” means. We know that our full commitment to the job, whatever it may be, will transpire in our work.”
Our Logistics Coordinator Rich Bielecki says, “In the Marines, you are forced to handle great amounts pressure when put into complex situations. These situations prepared me to work in any job market in the civilian world. Rich is a former Marine and has worked at Atlas for nearly 5 years. “Working as a team member and a leader in the military has aided me to work alongside with colleagues and diverse individuals to achieve goals and objectives for the company.”
Veterans are ready, willing, and able to learn any skill that employers need. They are coming into the workforce looking for a gainful employment opportunity that will utilize their talents and abilities acquired from their time in the armed forces.
According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans has decreased from 4.5 percent in October 2014 to 3.9 percent in October 2015. Businesses are finding that veterans of all ranks have the marketable technical and leadership skills they seek in their employees. Linking the gap of understanding between two worlds is key to an effective transition of military personnel to corporate employees. Tools such as the Military Tools Translator and Veterans Talent Index can help millions of former servicemen and women to find employment.
So on this Veterans Day we encourage you to thank a Veteran but also consider hiring one – for the good of your company as well as our Country.