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Stepping up to help those who served: Resources for job seekers, companies looking to hire veterans

 

photo courtesy of Trish Alegre-Smith

Whether you are a veteran or military spouse looking for job opportunities, or your company is seeking to hire veterans, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, a V3-certified organization, and its partner organizations stand ready to assist you.

With an estimated 80,000 veterans living in Fairfax County, and more than 372,000 veterans throughout the D.C. metro area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, as well as transitioning service members and military spouses, the FCEDA and its partner organizations provide and support a wide variety of services, as well as connections to additional resources.

FCEDA Talent Program

The veteran community is a key focus for the FCEDA’s talent program, which aims to help companies find talent and jobseekers locate career opportunities. Check out workinnorthernvirginia.com/veterans-clearance to find out about job opportunities, links to partner organizations, and much more.

The FCEDA has been hosting, sponsoring and/or participating in many in-person and virtual career fairs since the program’s inception in 2020. For example, in partnership with the Virginia Chamber Foundation and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, the FCEDA has been hosting a biennial Military Veteran and Spouse Career Fair at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Hundreds of veterans and military spouses have attended these events, which were also held virtually. Jobseekers from all types of backgrounds and experience levels attended the fairs, and attendees of the virtual event logged in from locations across the world. Information about the next career fair, as well as additional career fairs can be found here.

Companies seeking to hire veteran talent can contact Roderick Williams, Talent Program Manager at the FCEDA, to find out how to participate in career fairs and post job opportunities on workinnorthernvirginia.com.

Starting a Business

More than 2,000 companies in Fairfax County are presently owned by veterans. If you are interested in starting a business, the FCEDA offers a variety of free resources to get you started on your entrepreneurial path, including:

Entrepreneurship 101 – a workshop on how to start a business in Fairfax County.

SCORE – The FCEDA provides business-counseling services through an arrangement with SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE provides one-on-one counseling and mentoring, low-cost business-related workshops, and free house calls to your business location to conduct business reviews.

For more on how the FCEDA can help you launch and build a business, contact Karen Smaw, Director of Diversity Business and Investment at the FCEDA.

Veteran Programs

Here are links to a few recommended programs for Veterans: (Scroll down for employer resources.)

Virginia Department of Veterans Services – The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) connects Virginia’s veterans and their families to federal and state benefits, support, quality care, and recognition they have earned.

Fairfax County Government Veteran’s Resources – The Fairfax County Government provides and supports a number of veterans services and programs.

Northern Virginia Veterans Association – This association coordinates and case manages through a continuum of services, offers warm hand-offs and provides follow-up until all needs are satisfied in order to improve the lives and well-being of those veterans who are underserved, marginalized and incapable of finding and receiving services on their own.

Hiring Our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – The Hiring Our Heroes Fellows Programs are best-in-class workforce development programs that place highly skilled and educated transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and military caregivers with employers committed to hiring them.

More Veteran Initiatives

Boots to Suits – Boots to Suits is a clothing program for male and female Virginia veterans transitioning from military life to civilian careers. The program provides veterans with two complimentary career outfits, enabling them to look and feel their best for job interviews and non-military work environments. Military spouses who are job-seeking and the main household provider are also eligible for this opportunity.

CyberVetsUSA – CyberVET is a fully-sponsored “veterans first” workforce development initiative dedicated to transitioning veterans, with no IT or coding background, to highly skilled and high-paying IT careers. CyberVET creates an immersive learning experience that hopes to transform our nation’s veterans into America’s next generation of IT professionals. With the help of our partners and supporters, the CyberVET program is fully-funded and tuition-free for those who are accepted into the program.

Cyber Virginia, Cyber Veterans Initiative – an initiative to provide veterans with access to cyber security training opportunities and resources to help veterans enter the Virginia cyber security workforce.

U.S Department of Veterans Affairs Educational and Career Counseling – Veterans and their dependents who are eligible for VA education benefits can access free career guidance, education, and planning resources.

Hilton Honors Military Program – Hilton Hotels offers separating or retiring military servicemembers and their spouses 100,000 Hilton points to help them search for their next job.

VIRE VETS NOW – This statewide initiative brings together transitioning service members, veterans, and dedicated businesses for professional development and career networking. Monthly networking events, held on military installations, expand opportunities for veterans to gain access to career openings with Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employers and Chamber members prior to transitioning from the military. Virginia’s HIRE VETS NOW is hosted by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, the Virginia Chamber Foundation and Transition Assistance Offices on military installations throughout the Commonwealth.

Tech for Troops – provides in-need veterans and children of veterans with affordable refurbished computers and opportunities to partner with businesses that provide training and networking experiences.

Employer Resources

Virginia Values Veterans – The V3 Program helps employers develop and implement best practices and strategies for the recruitment and retention of veterans.

Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans – Created by the Department of Labor, this guide provides information about service member and veteran demographics. Employers will also find resources to increase veteran jobs in DC and recommendations on how to attract, train, and retain veterans.

For more information, please visit https://workinnorthernvirginia.com/veterans-clearance.