Governor Chris Sununu proclaimed Tuesday, July 25, 2023, to be “Hire A Veteran Day” in NH, joining other U.S. states participating in National Hire A Veteran Day, an unofficial holiday established in 2017 by Dan Caporale, a Marine Corps veteran and founder of nonprofit Hire Our Heroes.
Hire a Veteran Day raises awareness of civilian employment for transitioning service members and Veterans after their military service. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates approximately 200,000 individuals transition out of military service and return to civilian life and employment annually, roughly 2,400 of them in NH, according to the NH Dept. of Military Affairs and Veterans Services.
Most military occupations are not combat related and have direct equivalents in the civilian workforce; only 14% of the U.S. military’s occupations are combat specialties, meaning a large number of veterans leave their service with skills that can transfer to civilian jobs if given the opportunity, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“The State of New Hampshire, through the N.H. Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services, N.H. Employment Security and fellow agencies, stands ready to support Veterans and their families with meaningful and skill-appropriate employment at businesses that strive to honor, fortify, empower, and positively impact Veterans,” says Warren Perry, Deputy Adjutant General. “We encourage all New Hampshire employers to thoughtfully consider hiring Veterans and bring to bear the unique qualities and experience they can bring as employees. We also invite them all to join the New Hampshire Veteran-Friendly Business Network and exploit opportunities to match talented and skilled Veterans with positions in New Hampshire businesses.”
The State of New Hampshire works with the private sector and Veteran community members to help Veterans secure employment, including military skills waivers for professional licensing, virtual and in-person hiring events, and the NH Veteran-Friendly Business Network.
Launched in 2020, the NH Veteran-Friendly Business Network recognizes businesses, organizations, colleges, and schools in that have demonstrated policies and practices that honor, fortify, empower, and positively impact the lives of NH services members, veterans and their families. The program is free and open to all NH employers. NHVFB-registered businesses become certified “Veteran Friendly” and gain access to a peer networking group . To learn more and apply, go to https://www.dmavs.NH.gov/about-us/N.H.-veteran-friendly-businesses.
Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics in Manchester is a Platinum-level Veteran-Friendly Business Network member that provides amputees with prosthetic devices. “At Next Step, we are proud of our designation as a NH Veteran-Friendly Business and believe it is important to eliminate barriers that veterans sometimes encounter in our society,” says Bryan Chowning, FT/Director of Operations at Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics. “We recognize the unique skill set that many veterans possess, so throughout our 27-year history, Next Step has made a priority of employing and caring for those who have served our country.”
Many Veterans also choose the path of entrepreneurship; according to the National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs 2021 report, 63% of Veterans were interested in entrepreneurship prior to the military, 56% indicated that entrepreneurship was helpful in finding a purpose after the military, and 47% indicated entrepreneurship made the transition into civilian life easier. As of 2019 NH had more than 2,700 veteran-owned businesses with paid employees, representing more than 9% of all NH businesses with paid employees and employing more than 17,600 workers—nearly 3% of NH’s workforce. Among veteran-owned businesses, nearly one-third were in the construction industry.
New Hampshire has also worked to create paths for Veterans to receive professional licensure for training and experience received during their military service. Paths include “Troops to Trucks” for Veterans to receive a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL); Medic to LNA for Veterans who received medic training to become Licensed Nursing Assistants; and most recently, a new waiver for Veterans to become licensed electricians.
Current Issue - May 2024