TALLAHASSEE – This week, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the official start of the 2018 Paychecks for Patriots events, which connect veterans with great careers in their communities. To celebrate Veterans Day this month, DEO is sharing resources available for veterans and recognizing our partners that excel in serving Florida’s veterans.
“As a veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, I am proud of all our work to create jobs for veterans and all Florida families,” said Gov. Rick Scott. “Since 2010, thanks to Florida’s hardworking businesses and these important programs, our state’s veteran unemployment rate has dropped by more than six percentage points, and, overall during past eight years, Florida businesses have created more than 1.6 million jobs and the unemployment rate is currently at the lowest point in more than 11 years. This is great news for the many veterans and military families that call Florida home.”
Paychecks for Patriots is a partnership with DEO, the CareerSource Florida network, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and participating Florida employers to hold job fairs for veterans and their families. CareerSource Florida centers across the state will be hosting Paychecks for Patriots events throughout the month of November, to help build connections between veteran jobseekers and Florida’s job creators. The employers will include national companies, as well as many local businesses. More than 2,100 military and veteran candidates and their family members who participated in prior Paychecks for Patriots events across the state have gained employment.
More information about Paychecks for Patriots can be found at www.FloridaJobs.org/PaychecksforPatriots.
“We are proud to recognize the critical work our partners in the CareerSource network have done to help veterans in their communities find good jobs after serving our country,” said DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor. “Connecting Florida’s more than 1.5 million veterans to employers across our state is why Florida is the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation.”
“Our veterans have proven leadership and technical skills, the ability to work under pressure and a strong sense of integrity and teamwork,” said Glenn Sutphin, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “Job creators are eager to hire candidates with these values. Hiring veterans is an employer’s best bet.”
Veterans Florida Executive Director Joe Marino said, “Veterans Florida is excited to participate in Paychecks for Patriots events across the state as we fulfill our mission of attracting and retaining military talent in Florida’s workforce. Veterans bring a unique set of skills that play a critical role in Florida’s economy as it continues to modernize and expand into high-growth sectors such as tech and aerospace. I’d like to thank the Department of Economic Opportunity, CareerSource, their partner organizations, and Governor Scott for holding forward-thinking initiatives such as Paychecks for Patriots and recognizing the importance of connecting Florida’s military community with its private sector employers.”
Additional resources for veterans and military families in Florida include: