AUBURN — The city will join a state effort to promote hiring veterans, according to Mayor Jonathan LaBonte.
“I don’t think we are looking to fill specific jobs,” LaBonte said Friday. “We just want to raise the profile of our city as an employer and really insure that veterans looking for jobs are able to find us.”
The campaign officially kicked off Sept. 7, with Gov. Paul LePage and first lady Ann LePage promoting it at a Sept. 10 reception.
The goal is to enlist 100 Maine employers to hire 100 unemployed veterans within 100 days. The campaign provides support for employers with a Veteran Hiring Toolkit and recognition for hiring and advancement of veterans.
So far, the effort has enlisted 80 companies and has seen 30 veterans hired, according to Julie Rabinowitz, director of policy, operations and communication for the Maine Department of Labor.
Auburn is the first city to join the effort. LaBonte said the city has a long history of supporting veterans. City Manager Howard Kroll and Assistant City Manager Denis D’Auteuil are veterans, and several active members of the military work in the city’s police and fire departments.
The campaign focuses on jobs paying at least $12 an hour, but all employers are welcome to participate in the program, according to the Maine Department of Labor.
LaBonte said it does not mean the city is looking to expand city staff.
“I won’t say that we have 100 new jobs coming ourselves, but we do have turnover in our departments,” LaBonte said. “We have openings from time to time so we want to make sure that we are on the radar for folks that have the skill sets that veterans have.”
Employers who are interested in the program can contact campaign coordinator Lewis Bradford at 207-561-4051 for more information or contact their local CareerCenter.
The campaign provides information to employers about available state and federal employment training and education programs available to veterans, and education for employers on military language and culture, as well as assistance with recruiting and hiring.
It will also help employers fit veterans into their workplace, retain and promote veterans and recognize those employers that do so.
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