McCrory: State agencies need to hire more veterans

For the past three years, the state has been working with private employers through the NC4ME project, or North Carolina for Military Employment. Now, state leaders say it's time for state agencies to do more as well.

Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs Cornell Wilson told agency managers at a military employment summit Wednesday at the North Carolina National Guard headquarters in Raleigh that the drawdown of troops overseas will mean more veterans moving into North Carolina's workforce. Skills such as leadership, teamwork and adaptability make veterans a smart choice for agencies looking for dependable and flexible workers, he said.

"It's a win-win for veterans and employers. When employers take the time to understand the 21st century veteran is a gold mine of talent, they're quick to realize that these individuals have what it takes not only to meet their needs but exceed them as well," Wilson said.

Since 2013, the state's jobless rate for veterans has been cut in half, from 6.2 percent to 3.1 percent, which is far below the statewide unemployment rate.

McCrory said helping veterans transition to the civilian workforce is important to him because of his cousin Paul, who served in Vietnam and was then treated poorly when he came home. The governor urged state hiring managers to make sure their candidate pools include at least one veteran.

State human resources director Neal Alexander said North Carolina officials want to keep the talents of military veterans in North Carolina.