Veterans Hiring Expo Coming to Alpharetta

Will you Invest in Our Vets? The Scott Rigsby Foundation has added the Greater Atlanta Veteran Expo as part of the fourth annual Alliance Ride in support of military heroes and their families as they transition back into their communities.

Invest In Our Vets will be held Friday, May 3, from noon-5 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta.

The event will include employers seeking full-time applicants as well as those offering internship opportunities. A computer lab will be available for job seeking veterans to prepare resumes, and workshops will be offered covering topics such as career planning and employability skills.

Georgia has more than 700,000 veterans, and many are struggling to find work, according to state officials. U.S. labor officials estimate the military discharges 300,000 active service members and 11,000 reserve and National Guard members annually. Warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are facing the bleakest of situations compared to all veterans 18 and older, with unemployment at 12.1 percent.

Invest in Our Vets is an opportunity for veterans and employers to meet and conduct interviews onsite, so come to the event dressed and prepared for interviews.

Partner agencies providing resources and services include the GA Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the GA Department of Veterans Service, local Workforce Investment Areas, Employment Services for Guard and Reserve and others.

“We are fully committed to helping our warriors and their families,” said Scott Johnson, executive director of The Scott Rigsby Foundation. “The Invest in Our Veterans model encourages Atlanta area businesses to hire or pro-vide training and internship programs for veterans while recognizing tax breaks and lower employment cost incentives.”

Invest in Our Vets is a partnership effort including the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, City of Alpharetta, The Scott Rigsby Foundation, Jackson Healthcare, the Georgia Department of Labor and Georgia National Guard.

“The GNFCC is excited about the coming together of businesses in North Fulton to provide real jobs for true heroes,” said Deborah Lanham, director of Member Services of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “This will be a serious team effort demonstrating the desire of our business community to support and invest in Georgia Veterans.”

Employers interested in taking part should email Stanley Johnson of the Department of Labor or call him at 404-232-3584, or email Deborah Lanham of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Veterans seeking employment and education opportunities are encouraged to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to register at the event.