The 100,000 Jobs Mission was founded two years ago with a goal of hiring 100,000 military veterans to jobs by 2020. The coalition of businesses is well on its way to meeting that mark – and doing so well ahead of schedule. In fact, the collaborative group of 94 companies announced that through 2012, it was responsible for the hiring of 51,835 veterans.
Job placement for veterans is a hot button issue in the current employment landscape. Despite decreases in unemployment since the peak of the recession in 2009, more than 10% of the population that wants to work remains without a job.
Estimates from the Department of Veteran Affairs and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show an even higher unemployment rate for veterans, pushing 11%. The dent made by programs such as the 100,000 Jobs Mission on that figure will also have reflexive benefits in the overall economic landscape.
“We believe that hiring veterans is not only the right thing to do for veterans, but it's a great thing to do for our businesses,” says the organization’s mission statement. “Our nation's military and veterans represent the best this country has to offer and they bring meaningful skills to the workplace.”