Over the next two years, between 6,000 and 8,000 military veterans are scheduled to return to Connecticut, according to Gov. Dannel Malloy, and he is asking leaders of state agencies to consider recruiting and hiring veterans.
On Friday, there is an also event in East Hartford to try and get veterans back to work and the state Senate is expected to vote on a jobs bill to help small businesses develop programs and create new positions for unemployed veterans.
“Please make every effort to interview qualified veterans for your approved positions where appropriate,” Malloy wrote in a letter to leaders of executive branch agencies.
Malloy said state agencies must follow merit system and contractual rules and affirmative action plans must be considered when filling positions.
“For many of our returning veterans, finding employment will be one of their most significant challenges. Our administration is committed to welcoming our nation’s veterans home with every opportunity to find a fulfilling job as they begin the next phase of their life,” Malloy said. “It is our goal to provide qualified veterans access to state job interviews and when veterans appear on employment lists, strive to ensure that at least one veteran is interviewed for each position vacancy.”
Malloy sent the letter the day before the Heroes 4 Hire Career Fair.
State agencies are among the sponsors for the job match for veterans event on Friday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.
About 90 employers are expected to participate.
Open state positions are posted on the DAS website and notifications of future job fairs dedicated to veterans will also be posted.
