Saturday, May 25, 2013

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Walmart Commits to Hiring Veterans
Alaska has highest number of veterans per capita of any state
By Lauren Maxwell
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ANCHORAGE - Alaska is home to the highest number of veterans per capita in the country, and many of them are looking for work. Now, one of the largest retailers in the world is making the commitment to hire 100,000 of them over the next decade, starting on Memorial Day.

Walmart says it’s no gimmick; the company wants veterans returning from active duty and says jobs are available for those who apply.

“Certainly the military have very qualified applicants,” said South Anchorage Walmart manager Marty Howard. “We currently employ a lot of military and we want to employ even more.”

That shouldn’t be a problem in Alaska, a state with a reputation for attracting work-hungry vets from all over.

Kevin French is a veteran’s representative with the State Labor Department. He said there are currently veterans from half a dozen western states looking for work in Alaska. But most of them don’t travel hundreds miles for retail jobs.

“Oil fields are their main target”, said French.

French said there are jobs available on the slope for people who are willing to work from the bottom up.

“In security, food service or janitorial, they just put in their time and wait to hear about any other jobs that are being open on the spot, and that’s how they are getting on.”

French says the Anchorage Job Center can provide skills to help get jobs and more.

“Some job leads that are out there that people don’t know about. Or any referrals to any to other services they need, programs, training, employment, we have it all right here.”

The Midtown Job Center is open Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. All of its services are free.