ATLANTA, Feb. 6, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last month, the 100,000 Jobs Mission announced that its coalition companies are more than halfway to their goal of hiring 100,000 military veterans by the year 2020. In less than two years, participating companies, including U.S. Security Associates (USA), have collectively hired 51,835 military veterans. At this rate, veteran hiring among coalition companies may surpass the 100,000 mark well before 2020.
The 100,000 Jobs Mission was launched in March 2011 by 11 major employers to combat the high unemployment rate of veterans, especially those returning from Iran and Afghanistan. The coalition has grown from the original 11 founding members to 94 companies today, and the initiative continues to gain momentum. Membership increased 25% in the third quarter of 2012 alone.
"It's no wonder more and more companies are supporting the 100,000 Jobs Mission," USA's CEO Chuck Schneider comments. "Former military personnel have the qualities employers are seeking. Veterans transition very successfully into our security company culture and into other industries where men and women with leadership skills, precision training and a strong work ethic thrive."
To join the coalition, companies must commit to hiring veterans, sharing best practices with other coalition members, and reporting results quarterly. In 2011, the year the 100,000 Jobs Mission was launched, USA hired 1,483 military veterans. In 2012, USA recruiters and managers in 160+ branch offices were directed to step up efforts to recruit and hire military. USA has been selected by G.I Jobs as a Top 100 Military Friendly Employer for 2013 from a pool of 5,000 eligible companies. USA reaches out to the veteran community through partnerships with military employment groups like Warriors to Work, Employee Partnership of the Armed Forces, RecruitMilitary, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Hiring Our Heroes." Company recruiters are also exhibiting at veteran job fairs to build awareness of USA as a top security company that is committed to putting the talent of former U.S. military personnel to work on the home front.
By taking affirmative action to employ and advance veterans, USA has succeeded in dramatically increasing the percentage of veterans among the firm's 46,000 employees. Today, veterans make up 14% of USA's total workforce. Considering that veterans represent less than 8% of the entire U.S. labor force according to the latest Department of Labor figures, USA is definitely doing something right with its veterans affirmative action program. With more and more major American employers striving to set new benchmarks for military friendly employment practices, the 100,000 Jobs Mission provides a platform for companies in industries ranging from security services to defense, technology, healthcare, retail, energy and beyond, to benefit from one another's experience attracting veterans and retaining them long term.
ABOUT U.S. SECURITY ASSOCIATES
U.S. Security Associates (USA) is North America's security solutions leader, with 160 locally-responsive offices providing premier national security services and global consulting and investigations. The company provides career paths for over 46,000 security professionals serving several thousand clients and a range of industries. Innovative applications of leading-edge, proprietary technology enable USA to rank annually among the world's best training companies, meet the globally recognized ISO standard for quality management, and underscore world-class customer service with unparalleled accountability. USA's rise as one of today's largest security companies is a natural byproduct of these differentiators together with a commitment to investing in employee reward and development, giving back to local communities and relentlessly striving to be the best security company delivering Solutions for a Safer World™. For more information, visit www.ussecurityassociates.com.
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