200 + Employers Stand Ready to Hire Veterans at Paychecks For Patriots this Thursday

THIRD ANNUAL STATEWIDE EVENT TO BE HELD AT 10 LOCATIONS OCTOBER 9TH

Tennessee employers statewide are gearing up for the third annual Paychecks for Patriots hiring event to link Tennessee military veterans seeking jobs to employers who need them. More than 200 employers are expected to be part of the veterans’ career fairs to take place Thursday, October 9, at 10 sites across the state.

Again this year, large discount retailer Dollar General Corporation laid the groundwork for the event, backed by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development and strongly supported by Governor Haslam.

“Paychecks for Patriots is an example of state agencies working together with Tennessee’s private employers to achieve something that is good for everybody – we’re helping employers find great candidates they’re looking for who can help our companies, and we’re providing great opportunities for veterans when they come back home. Our veterans have sacrificed in a way that all of us want to salute. We’re proud of them and want to reward their service to our country,” Haslam said.

“It’s gratifying to see the Paychecks for Patriots hiring event in Tennessee continuing to gain momentum as it enters its third year.” said Bob Ravener, Dollar General’s Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. “When we embarked on this journey, our collective goal was to bring the public and private sectors together to help Tennessee veterans find career opportunities and employers find great people. The partnership has been very successful, and I’m confident this year’s Paychecks for Patriots hiring event will be our best event so far here in Tennessee.”

Added Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips, “We welcome new employers this year who are joining a strong foundation of returning employers from the past two years. This year’s event will be more impressive than ever. The hiring fair is a tremendous opportunity for veterans to find a variety of jobs in one location.”

The commissioner stressed that employers are actually hiring job seekers from the military community at Paychecks for Patriots. “They are offering full-time jobs – not merely gathering résumés or offering education opportunities or self-employment,” he said.

Brigadier General Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General who leads the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard, said Tennessee has been the fourth largest state in deployments since 9/11, with nearly 30,000 going to war. “Some of these young men and women coming back have never had a job, having gone into military service straight out of high school. They’re coming back more mature, and it’s time for us to help them get into the workplace,” Haston said.

The Nashville location for Paychecks for Patriots this year is LP Field (Tennessee Titans Stadium). Details for the locations across Tennessee where fairs will take place are in the attached list. All hiring events are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 9th. For a list of confirmed employers for each area go to the Paychecks for Patriots site and scroll to the bottom: http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/Patriots/Paychecks.shtml.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is joining efforts for the event for the first time this year. Other agencies contributing to Paychecks for Patriots are ESGR (Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve) and the state departments of Veterans Affairs, Military, and Human Resources.

Gibson will be giving away a guitar to one lucky veteran at the Nashville Paychecks for Patriots. To qualify, apply for a job at Gibson’s booth. This chance to win is available only to veterans at the Nashville event.

Registration can be done online. Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, located at 701 Merchant Drive, is the Knoxville area location. Participating employers include University of Tennessee, ADT, TVA, and Fed Ex, GemiCare, Weigel’s and Pepsi. A complete list of employers is located on the Tennessee Government website.