State calls on chambers of commerce to recruit vets

Gov. Jay Nixon’s Show-Me Heroes workforce development initiative today called on chambers of commerce and their members statewide to actively recruit veterans seeking jobs.

Through the Show-Me Heroes Chamber Challenge, the state government and Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri are asking chambers to encourage employers to pledge to hire veterans. For their participation, chambers can win bronze, silver and gold certificates indicating up to 50 percent or more of a chamber’s members have participated, according to a news release.

“From a chamber perspective, this program will be of huge benefit to our member investors who are in desperate need for hiring and developing the right talent in areas such as engineering, (information technology), finance/accounting, security and executive leadership,” said Brent McCoy, president of CCEM and vice president of membership for the Springfield chamber, in the release. “Right now, finding the right talent is one of the most pressing issues facing the employer community.”

Through the 2010-launched Show-Me Heroes program, 4,100 businesses have hired over 7,100 veterans or service members. The program offers incentives such as reimbursing 50 percent of the costs for on-the-job training up to 1,040 hours, and connecting employers with federal work opportunity tax credits, according to the initiative’s website.