Virginia Human Resources Group Announces Employer-Veteran Assist Program

The Virginia Society for Human Resources Management (VASHRM) announced it has established a Military Liaison position with support from its' nineteen chapters across the state.

VASHRM's 4,500+ members represent employers of all sizes and in all industries in the Commonwealth. The governing board, whose members include Chapter Presidents, recently voted to create the position to specifically fill the void in educating and encouraging employers to hire military service members and their families.

The action was received with great enthusiasm and viewed as a means to close a critical gap in the hiring of service members transitioning from military service. It was noted that many employers overlook military service because they fail to see the relevant skills in the individual who has performed in a field that is not similar to their line of business. This initiative will link partners across the state to educate members and business leaders in an attempt to close the gap. Local chapters will also expand the outreach to service members to meet other needs as identified.

Marcy Engle, President of VASHRM, said at the announcement; "We are pleased with the enthusiastic response of our members who have pledged to see that our returning service members receive a true and fair opportunity to work and provide for their families. This effort, carried out by Human Resource professionals across the Commonwealth, will create a win for the service member, business and our economy in general."

"It is a great honor," she said, "to announce that Vikki Ingram, Past President for the Shenandoah Valley Society for Human Resource Management Chapter as the first VASHRM Military Liaison. Vikki spent the first 10 years or her career serving in the United States Air Force. Her late father retired from the Air Force and she has 3 brothers who served in the Air Force, Army and Navy. Vikki's husband retired after 26 years in the Fulltime Air National Guard and her son is currently active duty Air Force. We look forward to her leadership and the forging of new partnerships, such as those we have the ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) and others, as we join forces to show our support of Virginia's military service members."

For more information go to www.SHRMVA.org.

SHRM Virginia provides HR professionals with information on local, statewide and national HR events, resources, initiatives and legislation to assist its members in their day-to-day HR duties. For those members who serve on local chapter boards, SHRMVA assists in leadership development aimed at ensuring strong, vibrant, and relevant chapters across the Commonwealth. SHRMVA Board membership includes the Presidents of the nineteen statewide chapters. SHRMVA is a 100% volunteer council that takes a strategic approach to advance the profession and serve the HR professional. SHRMVA is a SHRM Affiliate.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India.