Farmingdale, NY - August 7, 2015 - Governor Cuomo announced that the New York National Guard will host a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair at the Farmingdale Armed Forces Reserve Center at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 13. More than 60 employers offering over 300 jobs to veterans and their families will participate in the event.
“Our dedicated service men and women have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and we must do everything we can to support them and their families,” Governor Cuomo said. “By bringing together dozens of employers offering hundreds of jobs, we are setting the stage for veterans to succeed after they return home. I encourage Long Island veterans and their families to visit the Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair and learn more about how the state can help them advance their careers.”
Veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and military spouses are invited to interview with companies offering jobs.
An employment workshop will be held at 8:30 a.m. prior to the event. The workshop, held by the Manufacturing Institute, will focus on resume writing, interview skills, and job search techniques.
Those interested in attending the job fair and employment workshop must sign up.
The Farmingdale Armed Forces Reserve Center is located at 25 Baiting Place Road, Farmingdale.
Assemblyman Joseph Saladino said, “Our veterans have sacrificed so much to help our nation and our freedom and we are proud to stand with them and help them find good jobs on Long Island. We thank the Governor and all partners involved in making this job fair a reality and wish all of our veterans the best of luck.”
County Executive Edward Mangano said, “Helping our veterans find quality jobs should be our highest priority and this job fair will help do just that. Thanks to Governor Cuomo, all our state and federal partners and the countless employers participating in the job fair for working tirelessly to reemploy our veterans.”
Since Hiring Our Heroes began in March 2011, more than 1,500 companies have hired 27,200 veterans and military spouses as a result of 900 hiring events. In March 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Capital One launched Hiring 500,000 Heroes, a national campaign to engage the business community in committing to hire half a million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014. This milestone was achieved in June 2015 when more than 500,000 veteran and military spouse hires were confirmed.
Major General Anthony German, the commander of the New York Air National Guard will represent the New York National Guard at the event and be available to speak with reporters, as will retired Command Sgt. Major, Robert Van Pelt. Van Pelt works to help New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen find full-time jobs which allow them to continue their part-time military service.
Retired New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Kathryn Poynton, the National Director of Events for the Hiring Our Heroes program will also be present.
This hiring event is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation with support from the New York National Guard, Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, NY National Guard Family Programs, Suffolk County Veteran's Service Agency, NYS Department of Labor, Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR), U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion, and other local partners.