Veterans job fair on April 13 includes employers with 1,000 plus job openings

ABCActionNews.com – On April 13, the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital will host its first job and information fair. It will include about a dozen prospective employers who have more than a thousand job openings.
The information fair will also include resources about service through the VA, including mental health care and other benefits.
It will be held in the SCI Building #38, across from the parking garage, at 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd in Tampa.
After 20 years in the Air Force, George Leguizamon joined the 35,000 other veterans for work at Home Depot.
“Relief, I would say, knowing you’ve got your foot in the door with a great company is something that is obviously very beneficial.”
The retail chain is one of the companies planning to attend the job fair. Home Depot often employs veterans, citing a strong work ethic and integrity.
“That commitment to service, because when that customer walks in that door at Home Depot, it’s typically with a problem and we’re going to help them fix it,” explained Home Depot Human Resources Manager Marty Smith.
Officials want veterans to bring a resume or any other materials that would help in a job interview. They hope the job fair will help connect service men and women to the current local employment landscape, which often changes during their years in the military.
“We want to make these opportunities available to them so they can continue on with their lives and have productive lives with their families and be a part of our community,” explained James A. Haley Human Resources intern Angel Miranda. “These are people who are engaged in helping veterans. They believe their organizations can really enhance their capabilities by hiring veterans.
Bay Pines and James A. Haley will also hire nurses for their own hospital staff. They’ve already increased the workforce by 10% over the last year, but need even more nurses after two wars.
“They’re critical. They’re the most compassionate, caring, and giving personnel that we have,” explained Bay Pines HR Manager Paula Buchele. “[They] provide the care that they have and the knowledge skill set that they’ve developed to care for these veterans.”