Walmart Commits to Hiring Veterans

Alaska has highest number of veterans per capita of any state

Tools

By Lauren Maxwell
Bio | Email

Story Created: Jan 16, 2013 at 6:51 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 16, 2013 at 7:13 PM AKDT

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.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

service to your country.. said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 8:23 PM

then down grade to working at Wel-Fare I mean Wal-Mart...talk about a SLAP in the face...

111505651
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

guest said on Friday, Jan 18 at 12:36 PM

Wally`s World Will hire vets? As usual all Will be immigrants at minimum wage.

111645711
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.