An organization that connects returning National Guard members and Reservists to businesses in Tennessee is hosting a job fair for all veterans this afternoon in Smyrna.
According to a recent survey, companies admit military-related skills are good for their bottom line, yet the unemployment rate of veterans is above the national rate of 8-percent.
But for returning soldiers in Tennessee, that rate is drastically higher. Marvin Wells of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve says the numbers have been rather stagnant.
“Over the last two years…every unit that we’ve processed back into the state after being deployed – the unemployment rate has been 25-percent.”
Wells says this event is not a job fair – but a hiring fair – as only employers wanting to hire service members were invited. About sixty businesses with openings from retail to factory work will be present.
The ESGR has also held workshops to help soldiers organize their resumes for the job they’re seeking to improve the odds of getting hired.
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