Today is Veterans Day, a day to thank the veterans in your life for their service and to remember veterans past and present throughout this country who have made great sacrifices when their nation needed them.  I urge you to take a moment to thank veterans you know. There are 304,000 current and former military members who call Minnesota home.

At the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development we work hard every day to offer veterans the priority employment services they have earned.

As one example of this work, DEED partnered with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to host the 15th annual Veterans Career Fair held on November 3.  This hiring event for current and former military members, their spouses and Gold Star Families, offered an opportunity to connect in person with Minnesota employers who recognize the unique value people with military experience can bring to their organization.  Employers at this year’s event were encouraged to promote full-time jobs, with family-sustaining wages and benefits.

Current and former military members receive priority services through DEED's CareerForce Veterans Employment Services. Throughout the state, 24 veterans employment representatives offer career exploration, skills transfer and job search services to current and former military members.

CareerForce Veterans Employment Services also focuses on providing services to traditionally underserved groups of veterans, including intensive employment services for justice-involved veterans, female veterans, Native American veterans, and homeless veterans.

In addition, we provide services, resources, and referrals to National Guard soldiers returning from deployment. And, the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) provides intensive employment services that include job-readiness assessment, job search strategy, and job placement assistance to veterans with significant barriers to employment.

Plus, Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) provide assistance and guidance to businesses to help them recruit, hire and retain veterans. Minnesota employers know the value that veterans can bring to their business and the veterans employment representatives help connect these employers with veterans who are looking for family-sustaining work.

As a veteran myself, I know how appreciated a message of thanks or an acknowledgement of service is. Please join me in honoring veterans today. And please help share the word about employment services available to all Minnesota veterans.