Employers look to get in on hiring veterans

By John Howell
Posted 10/20/16

Lt. Col. Andy Chevalier wasn't looking for a new job.at least not right now. But Chevalier, who handles personnel matters for the Rhode Island National Guard, was curious what opportunities are in the private sector, so he checked out

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Employers look to get in on hiring veterans

Posted

Lt. Col. Andy Chevalier wasn’t looking for a new job…at least not right now.

But Chevalier, who handles personnel matters for the Rhode Island National Guard, was curious what opportunities are in the private sector, so he checked out companies participating in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes job fair held Tuesday at the armory on Airport Road.

Chevalier, who has served 24 years in the National Guard, thought that in two to three years, “I could be looking to see what’s out there.” Meanwhile, he was highly supportive of the job fair that brought representatives from 47 employers and 122 job seekers to the armory.

One of Chevalier’s first stops was to talk with Anne Devaney, recruiter for The Brickle Group. The company was looking to fill eight positions offering hourly wages from $10 to $20 and a production supervisor’s post paying $50,000 to $55,000.

With manufacturing facilities in Woonsocket, Brickle produces the yarn used in making baseballs as well as blankets and berets for the military. Devaney said the company is especially interested in hiring veterans because “they are hard workers and know what needs to be done.” She added, “We like to give back.”

Not all exhibitors were looking to fill jobs. Michael Senerchia, who is with SAMI – the Shipbuilding /Marine and Advanced Manufacturing Institute – was there to talk about the program that trains people to be welders, machinists and pipefitters, among other jobs. Ten-week courses, he said, are free to Rhode Islanders 18 years old and older who are unemployed. The New England Institute of Technology has developed the program in partnership with General Dynamics/Electric Boat Division, Blount Boats, Rhode Island Carbide Company and other industry employers.

Senerchia found an advocate of the program in Ryan Schuler, who is operations manager at Greystone and was looking to fill positions at the manufacturer.

“We need more good people,” Schuler said. He said the company has hired six or seven SAMI graduates.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed likewise circulated among exhibitors, learning what jobs were out there.

“They get well-trained former members of the military…we are taking care of people who have taken care of us,” he said.

He said he was excited by the number of available jobs. The numbers of people shifting jobs, which he feels is an indicator of a strengthening economy, also encouraged him.

This was the fifth annual Hiring Our Heroes job fair, a nationwide initiative to help veterans find employment. The fair was also open to military spouses. According to the Chamber of Commerce Foundation, more than 1,000 job fairs were held in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and on military bases overseas.

Steven McAllister of the U.S. Chamber, who was followed by Reed, Mayor Scott Avedisian and other officials to open the fair, noted that 36 veterans found jobs at last year’s fair.

“Let’s beat that record,” he urged.

On Wednesday with employer surveys still being returned, McAllister said it appears the fair will surpass last year’s number, but some changes may be in order next year. Because of space limitations, McAllister said about 30 companies were turned away.

“We’re going to need some place bigger.” He said he would be talking with Avedisian"

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