Spokane businesses challenged to Hire-A-Vet - June 9, 2006

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Media contacts: Sheryl Hutchison, 360-902-9289
Bill Tarrow, 360-902-9376

SPOKANE – Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee appeared before the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce this morning to recognize four local employers that have strong track records of hiring veterans and to call on other businesses to make a similar commitment. 

The companies are Goodrich Corp. in Spokane, Kaiser Aluminum in Spokane Valley, and Huntwood Industries and Isothermal Systems Research Inc., both located in Liberty Lake.

“These companies are hiring veterans because it’s good business,” said Lee.  “People with military experience bring a strong work ethic, a can-do attitude and a commitment to getting the job done.  These qualities are important to any company that wants to compete successfully in our global economy.”  

More than 10,000 Washington National Guard and Reserve members have been activated since Sept. 11, 2001, as part of the nation’s war on terror.  Preliminary data on 1,515 of these members indicate that 70 percent had jobs prior to deployment, but only 61 percent had jobs in Washington in 2005 after being deactivated.  Of the 761 who had jobs both before and after deployment, 60 percent were earning at least 5 percent less than before being deployed.  

“One of the best ways to welcome our citizen soldiers home is with a good job that provides financial stability for them and their families,” Lee said.  

At a breakfast meeting of the chamber of commerce, Lee presented awards to four Spokane-area businesses in honor of their efforts to employ veterans.  They include Huntwood Industries, Goodrich Corp., Kaiser Aluminum and Isothermal Systems Research Inc.  

Huntwood Industries has pledged to hire 30 additional veterans in the coming year, and the others are committed to hiring additional veterans whenever possible.

“These companies aren’t hiring veterans for altruistic reasons,” said Rich Hadley, president and CEO of the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “Today veterans are among the best-trained candidates in the job market.  I encourage other smart businesses to follow their lead.”  

The Hire-A-Vet challenge was devised by the Veterans Re-Employment Steering Committee, which was formed by Karen Lee last November to examine to what degree National Guard and Reservists returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are having trouble finding jobs.  The committee includes representatives from the state Employment Security Department, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington Military Department, Association of Washington Business, State Labor Council, Building & Construction Trades Council and Washington Workforce Association.

Employers who are interested in hiring veterans but don’t know where to start, as well as veterans who are looking for work, should visit their local WorkSource office or call 800-562-2308. 

“WorkSource is among the first to know when qualified veterans enter the local labor market,” said Frankie Arteaga, area director for WorkSource in Spokane County.  “We can help businesses recruit workers, post jobs on-line and even prescreen applicants.” 

The Employment Security Department will organize additional events in other communities throughout 2006 to support the Hire-A-Vet Challenge and to recognize businesses that hire veterans.

Web Links
Link to list of participating businesses