NEW YORK – Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) today launched VetConnectPro, a first-in-the-nation employment tool that connects Veterans looking for work in the New York City public and private sector to matching employment opportunities. A model for other cities and states, the site provides Veterans and their families access to a wide array of hiring features, including a proprietary military skills translator, a dashboard that provides job postings from city agencies as well as information on local, state, and federal benefits, civil service exams, and recommended online job training.
“It’s often challenging for a Veteran who has faithfully served our country to translate the highly specialized abilities and skills that they have learned in the military into the civilian sector when they leave,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I’m proud that New York City is leading the way, making it easier than ever for Veterans to find employment, mentorship and resources with this first-in-the-nation tool.”
“When Veterans leave the service, they can feel overwhelmed trying to take the wide range of training that they received and showcase their skills to an employer,” said DVS Commissioner James Hendon. “VetConnectPro makes it easy for them to cut through the differences between the military and civilian world so these highly civically-engaged citizens can find jobs with the city and for NYC agencies to identify, reach, and hire Veterans.”
New York City is the first major municipality to build an employment tool for Veterans to have access to and connect to local job opportunities. The robust military translator, operated by JobPaths, can translate and match over 7,000 military careers to job openings available on the site. The site also includes information about civil service exams, fee waivers for veterans, and special hiring programs for people with disabilities.
“Those who have served our country are proven invaluable public servants who strengthen our workforce and the fabric of our city,” said Deputy Mayor Phil Thompson. “This site is another step in our commitment to make New York City the most Veteran friendly city in the country and to help them tap into the rich ecosystem of jobs that are available here.
Two city agencies, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), are already using VetConnectPro to search for workers and assist Veterans seeking employment with additional agencies joining on an ongoing basis.
“SBS is thrilled to partner with DVS in offering this groundbreaking tool for our City’s cherished Veterans,” said Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services Jonnel Doris. “We are committed to creating economic opportunity and security for New Yorkers, and this platform creates a holistic one-stop-shop for Veterans to connect to jobs where they can apply their valuable skills to another great purpose.”
“MOPD is thrilled to be a part of VetConnectPro, partnering with DVS and JobPaths.com to connect all New Yorkers, including Veterans with disabilities, to jobs in city government through the 55-a program and opportunities in the private sector through our Business Development Council. By advancing NYC hiring through state of the art technology, MOPD’s NYC: ATWORK initiative and DVS finally have the system in place to engage and support the city’s largest untapped talent pipeline to obtain their career goals,” said NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner Victor Calise.
After launch, VetConnectPro will continue to open the site to private sector companies seeking to hire Veterans or spouses in the five boroughs.
VetConnectPro is powered by JobPaths, the robust workforce development company that has developed technology to modernize how companies connect to military Veterans and their spouses. Other groups the company has worked with include Paralyzed Veterans of America, Hope for the Warriors, United Way’s Mission United, and the Air Force Association.
“We are very excited that the City of New York has chosen our technology as their preferred tool for Veteran hiring,” said Jack Fanous, CEO of JobPaths. “JobPaths was designed to serve as a technology solution for Veteran hiring, utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning to match employers to the most qualified candidates.”
VetConnectPro is the result of Executive Order 65 signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in March 2021 calling for the creation of a tool that will assist Veterans in finding employment with the city and that will aid agencies in the hiring of Veterans.
“I applaud Commissioner Hendon on the launch of VetConnectPro, making it easier than ever for our Veterans to find employment and grow their careers after their military service,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “We must continue to ensure that our city provides to those who sacrificed so much in service of our safety and freedom.”
Veterans who would like to know more about DVS services can call (212) 416-5250 or visit www.nyc.gov/vets.