Miami – There is a nationwide push to get veterans and returning soldiers back into the job market. The unemployment rate for veterans is higher than the national average and especially high for veterans 18 to 24.
The government offers a tax credit for businesses who hire veterans.
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"Through the wounded warriors, tax credit, small business owners actually get a tax credit - all things being equal try to hire a veteran," Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz told Local 10's Neki Mohan at a Memorial Day event today.
The State of Florida has a website dedicated to veterans: http://veterans.employflorida.com.
There are also new online tools to help veterans translate their skills from the battlefield to a job here at home.Since companies find and recruit talent through social media, there are two new sites to help a candidate build an online presence.
"Military Career Coach" is an online tool developed by Accenture and LinkedIn to help veterans with resume development, job search, interviewing, and even building an online profile.
They also offer instructional videos featuring recruiters with military experience.
Check out the link: http://careers.accenture.com/usen/working/development/recruiting/militarycareerscoach/Pages/military-careers-coach.aspx.
RallyPoint, www.rallypoint.com, is a free professional network launched last year for active military. It was first designed for only active duty military personnel, now it will be open to veterans as well.
Commander Rick Tewes served in the Vietnam War Era and said he remembers what it was like not to be welcomed home. On this Memorial Day, he is glad to see the younger soldiers getting the help they need.
"Please say thank you to any veteran and person who is wearing a uniform that's what this day is all about," said Commander Tewes.