How Veterans bring Power to your W orkforce

1. How Veterans bring Power to your Workforce

2. Who is a Veteran?

3. Who is a Veteran?

4. Who is a Veteran?

5. Who is a Veteran? • There are 20.4 million Veterans in the U.S. • Men 88% / Women 12% • (+/-) 156,000 Veteran reside in New Mexico • (+/-) 15% of the Veterans are homeless or living in poverty • (+/-) 2,400 National Guard Soldiers currently serving in New Mexico • Economic Impact: $247M • (+/-) 904 Army Reserve Soldiers in New Mexico • Economic Impact: $32.6M • Economic Impact of all Military, Retired, Veterans in New Mexico: $3.1B *2017 Statistics; US Dept. of Defense, NCSL.org,

6. Veterans and Employment

7. Barriers to Employment for Veterans • 1. Companies should understand how much training Veterans possess • School Cost Amt. of Civilian Tng.Type • BASIC Training $ 75,000 6 months Accountability • CPR / First Aid • Critical Thinking • Problem Solving • Soft Skills • Teamwork

8. Barriers to Employment for Veterans • School Cost Amt. of Civilian Tng.Type • Technical School up to $475,000 up to 2.5 years Job-specific (155 jobs) • 1 month = 3 civ months • HR Generalist, Accountant, Benefits Coordinator • Finance Specialist, Bookkeeper, Payroll Specialist • Dental Assistant, Nurse, Hygienist, ER Specialist, Pharmacy Tech • Mechanic, Electrical Engineer, Network Specialist • Training Manager, Logistician, Programmer, Detective • Supervisor, Manager, Director, Executive

9. Barriers to Employment for Veterans • 2. Companies should understand how to hire Veterans • How many Veterans are in your workforce? • Does your company ask “Have you ever served in the military?” on job applications • Do you promote a Veteran preference on hiring? • Do you use a Veteran in your company to help understand the qualifications of a Veteran applicant?

10. Barriers to Employment for Veterans • 2. Companies should know the financial benefits of hiring Veterans • Work Opportunity Tax Credit incentives up to $9,600 for hiring unemployed or disabled Veterans • Returning Heroes Tax Creditincentivesup to $5,600 for hiring unemployed Veterans • Wounded Warriors Tax Credit doubles the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for long-term • unemployed Veterans with service-connected disabilities, up to $9,600 • Differential Wage Payment Credit pays employers who pay Reserve and National Guard employees while • they are away on active duty for more than 30 days and have been employed for more than 90 days, up to $4,000 • NM Veterans Employment Tax Credit pays employers up to $1,000 each time they hire a Veteran recently discharged from the military

11. Other Benefits to Hiring Veterans • Less need for training of soft skills or technical training based on job in military • Veterans with VA or TRICARE benefits reduce overhead costs for medical / dental insurance • Turnover of Veterans is less than a civilian employee • Veterans foster teamwork and group thinking • Veterans have less work time lost than civilians • It’s the RIGHT thing to do!!

12. Company Concerns in Hiring Veterans • All Veterans with PTSD are unstable or a liability • Veterans always want to be in charge • Veterans are overly qualified and leave the job for more pay • Veterans cannot adjust to the civilian workforce • Veterans do not have the degrees needed

13. How can WE Hire Veterans • 1. Add the question “Have you ever served in the military” to your applications • Asking “do you have an Honorable Discharge” is not the same • All Veterans do NOT qualify for VA benefits • 2. Advertise “Veteran Hiring Preference” with all job notices • If a Vet applies, at least let them interview if they meet MOST of the job demands • Use a Veteran in the company to help examine military experience • 3. Encourage Military Appreciation in your company • Military Holiday Ceremonies or luncheon (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July) • Military & Family Honor Board • 4. Hire a Veteran in the HR Department • Veterans in rank of Sergeant & above, or Officers, ALL have manager / HR training • 5. Create an Internship, OJT or “Battle Buddy” training program • Veterans with Educational Benefits can be paid to do some programs • Veterans enrolled in education prefer to do Intern programs in conjunction with school

14. Cheat Sheet for Veteran Experience • Corporal / Sergeant / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lead, Supervisor, Coordinator • Asst. Manager, Team Leader • Staff Sergeant / Tech Sergeant / Petty Officer 1st Class Foreman, Manger, Department Head • Trainer • Sergeant First Class / Master Sergeant (AF) / Chief Petty Officer Director / Supervisor / Dept. Manager • Operations Manger, Training Manager • Master Sergeant (A) / First Sergeant / Sergeant Major Operations Director / Executive • Command Sergeant Major / Master Chief Senior Advisor • ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • ** USMC rank is the same as the Army but are red and yellow • Each stripe and officer rank includes additional 60D – 270D of leadership/management schooling to obtain • - All officer ranks (Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, etc) have Mid-level management and above experience

15. Cheat Sheet for Veteran Experience

16. Resources to Help Hire Veterans http://www.hireveteransfirst.com/ https://www.hireheroesusa.org/hire-a-veteran/ https://www.careeronestop.org/ https://www.dol.gov/vets/hire/ https://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/for-employers.asp https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Veterans/Vet-Information/Veteran-Employment-Tax-Credit https://www.shrm.org/foundation/ourwork/initiatives/engaging-and-integrating-military-veterans/pages/employer-resource-list.aspx https://www.esgr.mil/Employers/Employer-Programs https://handsonbanking.org/military/career-transition/resume-writing/civilian-terms-for-military-experience/ https://www.federalpay.org/military/navy/ranks https://www.federalpay.org/military/air-force/ranks https://www.goarmy.com/about/ranks-and-insignia/ranks.html https://www.federalpay.org/military/marine-corps/ranks

17. Thank You! Bobby S. Ehrig CEO, NM Veterans Integration Centers 13140 Central Avenue SE, Suite 1A Albuquerque, NM 87123 (505) 296-0800 Bobby.Ehrig@nmvic.org www.nmvic.org