Mangano, Israel Host "Welcome Back Warriors" Job Fair

Event Provides Returning Veterans with Employment Services

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Rep. Steve Israel today hosted the “Welcome Back Warriors” All Veterans Job Fair. Held at the Morelly Center for Homeland Security in Bethpage, the job fair was open to all veterans seeking employment opportunities and career counseling.

“Our Welcome Back Warriors program helps veterans land that first job when they return home," said County Executive Mangano.  "It is so important that we reach out to our veterans so they have access to the necessary services, including job placement. We must never forget the men and women who fought to defend America's freedom.”

“Our debt to the troops does not end when they return from Iraq and Afghanistan,” Congressman Israel said.  “Today’s job fair helps us live up to our obligations to veterans while helping Long Island businesses to find tremendous employees.  Veterans come home with leadership, skills and practical expertise. They have a lot of offer any employer and I am confident employers will find a wealth of talent here today.”

Participating employers included: Astoria Federal Savings, National Grid, New York Life, North Shore-LIJ, The New York State Department of Labor, Best Buy, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Greystone Staffing, FJC Security Systems, Long Island Cares, Inc., New York Community Bank, and Prudential Insurance. Advisors were also on hand for career counseling, interview skills improvement, resume writing, and to answer questions related to the G.I. Bill.

Currently, there are more than 100,000 veterans living in Nassau County. The unemployment rate for veterans who served in the military since September 2001--a group referred to as Gulf War-era II veterans--was 10.2 percent in 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in March. Young male veterans (those ages 18 to 24) who served during Gulf War era II had an unemployment rate of 21.6 percent in 2009, slightly higher than the jobless rate of young male nonveterans (19.1 percent).

In response to these statistics, County Executive Mangano established the “Welcome Back Warriors” Project to provide returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with information on employment opportunities, educational entitlements, VA claims and referrals. For more information, please call the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency at (516) 572-8452 or visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Veterans/index.html