WHEREAS, for more than 200 years, our communities and our state have been built with the help of veterans who served their country during peace and war to keep democracy safe; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, whose technical skills, strong work ethic, leadership, and experience with teamwork make them an invaluable segment of the workforce; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina has developed a variety of tools to help veterans find jobs and training, including the NCWorks Veterans Portal located at veterans.ncworks.gov; in 2022 – 2023, North Carolina’s workforce system supported more than 16,300 veterans who received some type of job-seeker service through their local NCWorks Career Center; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina collaborates with North Carolina For Military Employment (NC4ME) and other organizations to connect veterans with employers that are looking to hire; and
WHEREAS, employment services are among the resources provided to participants in North Carolina’s nationally-recognized Veterans Treatment Courts, which enhance public safety while promoting reentry and rehabilitation for veterans who are justice-involved; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages companies to provide employment opportunities to veterans already in the workforce and those transitioning out of military service; veterans have valuable skills and experience gained in the military that are highly transferable to new careers in high-demand fields; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina benefits from the service of numerous veterans as state employees; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina’s “First in Talent” plan emphasizes the importance of expanding upon programs that help veterans transition to the civilian workforce and overcome barriers, so that their diverse talents and skills can contribute to a thriving, innovative economy; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina remains committed to making our state the most veteran and military-friendly state in the nation and the premier choice for veterans looking for a place to work and live;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 6 – 10, 2023, as “EMPLOY A VETERAN WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.