The federal government set a new record in hiring veterans. In fiscal 2014, 33.2% of new hires were veterans, up from 31% in 2013, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced this week. Federal agencies have intensified their efforts to bring in more veterans after President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating the Veterans Employment Initiative in 2009. Veteran hiring was not a priority prior to the order. Between 2003 and 2007, veteran hiring went up only slightly from 25% to 25.5%.
The executive order created the President’s Council on Veterans Employment co-chaired by Labor Department Secretary Thomas Perez, Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald, and OPM Director Katherine Archuleta.
“I am confident that together this council is doing what is needed to achieve the president’s objectives and establish the foundation for ongoing and sustainable progress for our veterans for years to come,’’ Archuleta said.