A job fair is scheduled for this morning at the Richmond Raceway complex for military veterans, their spouses, and active-duty personnel who are transitioning out of military service.
About 500 veterans and their spouses have already registered for the job fair, being held as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "Hiring Our Heroes" program, designed to help veterans find careers in the private sector.
About 67 employers are scheduled to attend the fair, which will be held at the raceway's Colonial Building at 600 E. Laburnum Ave. from 9 a.m. to noon.
The unemployment rate for veterans who served in the last 10 years is 13.1 percent, compared with an 8.3 percent overall national jobless rate.
"As the largest business federation in the world, we feel a civic responsibility to our service members and veterans, who have given so much in the last 10 years and before, to make sure they are connected to meaningful careers in the private sector," said Ross Cohen, senior director of the Hiring Our Heroes program for the chamber.
The chamber started the program in March 2011. The Richmond event will be its 95th job fair around the country. It plans to hold 400 job fairs in the second year of the program.
Capital One Financial Inc., a major Richmond area employer, is the lead co-sponsor of the local fair along with Hero2Hired, a career advocacy group for veterans. Other employers scheduled to attend include hospital company HCA Inc. and truck-rental company Ryder Inc.
Walks-ins are welcome but should bring some form of documentation of military service.
"Job seekers should come with résumés and in their interview clothes, and be prepared to interview," Cohen said.
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