Press Release
Calling All Veterans, Largest State Employer of Military Veterans Seeks to Hire More
November 09, 2015
RICHMOND — As America celebrates its veterans this week, the Virginia Department of Corrections wants those men and women who have served our country to know their skills are needed when they return home. Veterans make up about 13 percent of the Virginia Department of Corrections’ (VADOC) 11,500 employees.
The effort comes as part of the Virginia Values Veterans initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. The V3 initiative, as it is known, helps link veterans with businesses seeking to employ them.
VADOC began its V3 partnership roughly six months ago and has hired more than 100 veterans since then. The Department expects to hire another 100 in the next six months. “Veterans possess the skills and training we need,” said VADOC Director Harold Clarke.
“Veterans, even at a young age, have shouldered a great deal of responsibility, and are a natural fit for our agency, which prioritizes safety and security, teamwork, discipline, and communication skills.”
The Department offers a variety of jobs and opportunities for advancement. “In addition to corrections officers, we hire a wide range of employees, from teachers, welders, dentists, doctors, and nurses, to food service workers, truck drivers, and project managers,” Clarke said.
The Virginia Department of Corrections is a leader in employing veterans, said V3 Program Manager Andrew Schwartz. “The Department recognizes the excellence of these very capable, very deserving men and women and is the largest single employer of veterans among Virginia state agencies,” Schwartz said.
The Commonwealth of Virginia boasts a large veteran population. While Virginia’s population ranks 12th nationwide (8.2 million), its number of working-age veterans ranks fourth, at 513,000.
Virginia ranks first in the nation per capita for veteran labor force participation (65 percent in 2014) and veteran labor force growth, which was 19 percent from 2010-2014.
For more information about V3, visit dvsv3.com.
More information on the VADOC can be found at www.vadoc.virginia.gov.