Governor makes new effort to help employ veterans

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by Lauren Conley

Story Created: Oct 9, 2012 at 5:39 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 9, 2012 at 5:51 PM CDT

It's a problem you hear about too much: soldiers returning home to no job. Governor Heineman is trying to change that. He announced a new recruitment video Tuesday in Lincoln.

The unemployment rate in the United States is dropping. It's just under 8% - the lowest it's been in the past 8 months.

Here in Nebraska, we're even better off with only about 4 percent unemployment. This is a key factor in the state's new plan.

For the hundreds of veterans looking for work, Governor Heineman has a message:


"Whether your goal is to land your first job, further your education or use your military skills to pursue a new career path, in Nebraska we can help you make your goals a reality."

A new video produced by the Nebraska Department of Labor features Nebraska's governor and also its veterans.

Matthew Hill left the marine corps in 2003 and came to work in Nebraska in 2008. He says Nebraska offers great opportunities.

"It feels like there's a job for everybody. That's something you don't always get everywhere," said Hill.

The Department of Labor says it can sometimes be hard for veterans to find jobs even though they're a great hire.

"There's underemployment with veterans like there are with a lot of Nebraskans," said Randy Kissinger, Department of Labor.

The key is working on transferable skills.

"What we want to do is take those skills they've acquired over 2 to 4 to 6 to 8 to 20 years in the military and then transfer those to civilian life," said Kissinger.

The Department of Labor says Nebraska has a certain mindset about helping veterans.

"Hey, you have served. You've done us a favor, now let's help you and return the favor," Kissinger said.

The full video and information on employment can be found online at dol.Nebraska.gov. The website also has information on how to register and look for work in the state.

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