State Joins Forces with NC’s Restaurants and Hotels to Connect Veterans with Jobs | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     As we remember those servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country on this Memorial Day, Governor Pat McCrory is also encouraging employers to hire military veterans to grow their businesses.

    North Carolina's veterans are a talented pool of individuals whose skills and approach to teamwork make them a smart addition to any business.

    "We have thousands of veterans whose skills are invaluable to our businesses and they can move anywhere in the country, but we want them to call North Carolina home," said Governor Pat McCrory. "Our NCWorks Career Centers and online job portals are a great resource for veterans making the transition into the civilian job market."

    NC Commerce's Workforce Solutions team is partnering with the NC Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) to urge the association's members and other employers to tap into veterans' vast experiences.

    The NC Restaurant and Lodging Association is asking its members to use their local NCWorks Career Centers and online job database to connect with veterans looking for a new career. This will be an ongoing effort to encourage restaurants and lodging businesses to use NCWorks to find qualified and talented workers.

    "North Carolina's restaurants and hotels offer a wide range of job opportunities for people at all stages of their careers, and it's no different for our veterans," said Lynn Minges, president and chief executive officer of NCRLA. "We've found that veterans' experience in logistics, communications and management serve them well in the restaurant and hospitality industries," she added.

    Approximately 78,000 active duty military personnel in North Carolina will separate from the service by 2018 due in part to a realignment of troop levels, according to research compiled by N.C. Commerce's Labor and Economic Analysis Division. Currently, 775,000 military veterans live in North Carolina. Seeking to maximize this unique workforce asset, the state launched NC4ME in partnership with employers. The initiative uses NCWorks and other tools to link exiting military personnel with civilian career opportunities in North Carolina.

    "By working with partners such as the NC Restaurant and Lodging Association, we can ensure a pipeline of talented workers for our employers, create sustainable jobs for our vets and grow our local economies," said N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III.

    NCWorks Career Centers connect job seekers to employers by providing access to training for individuals and helping businesses with talent recruitment. The centers serve veterans of all backgrounds and provide additional help for individuals who face barriers to employment. In 2015, NCWorks served nearly 35,500 veterans, 10,500 of whom found jobs after being assisted by their career centers. The centers also pre-screen applicants and make job referrals to employers, saving businesses valuable time and ensuring that the people they interview for a job are qualified for it. NCWorks Online also compares candidates' skills with those required for a job, helping employers know which applicants are best qualified for the position.

    The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association serves to advance and protect the interests of more than 20,000 restaurants and lodging establishments that generate more than $22 billion in sales annually and employ 11 percent of the state's workforce. For more information, visit the NCRLA's website or call (919) 747-2205.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov