Job Fair for Veterans Jan. 31 in Hilo

A job fair and resume-writing workshop for veterans will be held Jan. 31 at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at 1304 Kekuanaoa St. in Hilo. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the services are part of the 2013 Hiring Our Heroes Veterans Event.

A similar event was held in Kona last September.

The job fair is open to active-duty military members, veteran job seekers and guard and reserve members, as well as military spouses.

There is no fee to businesses or veterans participating in the event.

In addition to the job fair, there will be a workshop on resume-writing and job-interview techniques.

Sponsored in part by the US Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service, the US Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Hawaii Army Air National Guard, similar “Hiring Our Heroes” events have been held across the country.

Locally, the job fair is being spearheaded by the 1st Squadron 299th Cavalry Regiment, a Hawaii Army National Guard unit headquartered in Hilo with an armory in Kona.

Maj. Darrin Cox, executive officer of the 1^st Squadron 299^th Cavalry Regiment, got the idea to bring the job fair to the Big Island after hearing of a veterans job fair on Oahu.

“I saw the Oahu event advertised last summer,” says Cox. “I wanted to bring something similar to the neighbor islands,” noting that there are a lot of veterans on the neighbor islands.

According to Cox, there are about 22,000 veterans on the Big Island, with 50 to 60 active duty military on island.

Nationally, unemployment among veterans is higher than that of civilians. Cox said the trend is the same in Hawaii, especially on the neighbor islands.

“Job opportunities aren’t as plentiful here as they are on Oahu and the mainland,” says Cox.

Big Island businesses that currently have openings or may have positions opening soon, are encouraged to participate in the job fair.

“We want veterans to be able to apply for open and current jobs,” adds Cox.

Big Island employers who hire veterans are eligible to receive anywhere from $2,400 to $9,600 in federal tax credits (see related story “Big Island Businesses That Hire Veterans Can Receive Tax Credits.”)

Businesses and veterans can register for the free event by calling Cox at 844-6605 or by registering online at HOH.Greatjob.net. For more information you can also email [email protected].