Hire a Veteran Day a Big Success

Aug 02, 2024 09:46AM ● By Ornella Rossi

Captain Saif S. Hassan and Tim Young, Vice President of Talent Management, hold a sword as they cut the cake to commemorate the new partnership with the U.S. Army. Photo courtesy PRIDE Industries

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - PRIDE Industries celebrated National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25, with a special recruiting event at their Career Hub, located at 7011 Sylvan Road. Running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event connected military veterans with job opportunities across a broad spectrum of roles.

The event was highlighted by a significant milestone: a signing ceremony marking a new partnership with the U.S. Army through the Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) Program. The program provides soldiers with employment opportunities as they transition from military to civilian life. The signing ceremony underscored PRIDE Industries’ commitment to helping military veterans, regardless of their abilities, find meaningful employment.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to PRIDE Industries as a new Partnership for Your Success partner,” said Antonio Johnson Jr., Partnership for Your Success program manager. “The U.S. Army is a reliable recruitment source for businesses with an endless pool of qualified talent, and we’re pleased that PRIDE Industries is committed to helping soldiers find employment after military service.”

The career fair event put on by PRIDE Industries for the National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25 was successful, according to organizers. Photo courtesy PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries President and CEO Jeff Dern echoed this sentiment.

“We recognize the immense value that veterans bring to our workforce,” Dern said. “Their experience serving our country instills in them a strong work ethic, adaptability, and leadership skills that are highly sought after in the civilian job market. We are honored to partner with the U.S. Army through the Partnership for Your Success Program and look forward to providing meaningful employment opportunities to even more veterans.”

The event was part of a broader initiative involving job fairs held across multiple locations, including Citrus Heights, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Texas.

“Hundreds of veterans registered and over 100 veterans attended across the four job fairs,” public relations director Kat Maudru reported.

Veterans had the opportunity to explore and interview for positions spanning administration, supervision, driving, landscaping, custodial services, job coaching, supply chain management and more.

The Department of Labor reports that about 200,000 military personnel annually transition from active duty, bringing with them a valuable set of skills and attributes gained through their service, including dedication, teamwork, effective communication and a strong work ethic, all highly prized by employers.

“PRIDE Industries recognizes that the experience veterans gain serving our country makes them valuable employees,” Maudru said. “The company currently employs hundreds of veterans in all areas of the organization and has provided support and services to thousands more in the form of job coaching, vocational instruction and employment placement assistance.”

Maudru also noted the diversity of the attendees’ reasons for seeking employment. “One person was there because they needed a job due to an impending job loss, while others were looking for part-time work. Different reasons for wanting a job come to show that everybody has a story,” Maudru said.