Military veterans can be a treasure trove of potential employees for security service providers. “Service members are highly valuable for their exceptional leadership qualities, diverse skill sets and dedication to teamwork — all pillars of our corporate culture at STANLEY Security,” says Tony Buffum, VP of Human Resources for STANLEY Security, which recently launched a nationwide veteran recruiting program by entering into partnerships with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Warriors to Work veteran employment program in partnership with Bradley-Morris Inc., the largest military recruiting firm in the U.S.
“We view this program and these partnerships as an opportunity to give back to the service men and women who have already given so much to us as citizens of this country,” Buffum adds.
There are a multitude of resources for security companies interested in hiring veterans, from recruiting companies like Bradley-Morris, to job boards, to the federal government itself. And beyond the obvious benefits of hiring someone who displays the traits of a good soldier, there may be tax benefits to your company as well.
The Special Employer Incentives (SEI) program — run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — provides assistance to employers who hire veterans. The SEI program connects qualified veterans with a specific role at your organization. VA facilitates the process by identifying suitable placements and coordinating efforts between all parties. Employers who participate in the program can gain reimbursement of up to 50 percent of the veteran’s salary during the SEI program, which typically lasts up to 6 months, to cover such expenses as instruction, loss of production due to training status, and supplies and equipment necessary to complete training. Go to www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/for-employers.asp for more information.
Here are a several additional resources to take advantage of veteran hiring:
- U.S. Dept. of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service: http://www.dol.gov/vets/hire/index.htm
- WWP’s Warriors to Work program: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/warriors-to-work.aspx
- Veteran Recruiting virtual recruitment center and career fairs: http://veteranrecruiting.com
- Hire Heroes USA job board: www.hireheroesusa.org
- Hire Veterans job board: www.hireveterans.com
