U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Capital One Announce a Hiring 500,000 Heroes Campaign Milestone

Washington D.C., November 12, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Capital One Financial Corporation and the Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign announced a major milestone in their effort to engage the business community in committing to hire half a million veterans and military spouses. Since the Hiring 500,000 Heroes initiative was launched in March of 2012, 1,700 businesses large and small, representing a range of industries and sectors joined the effort and have committed to hiring – not just 500,000 – but over 585,000 military men and women.

With Capital One’s support, this three-year, $4.5 million campaign is continuing to fund career fairs, provide training and connect potential employers with talented veterans and military spouses transitioning into the civilian workforce. To date, there have been 369,000 confirmed hires.

“This is a great milestone in our effort to help veterans and military spouses make a successful transition into the civilian workforce. With each commitment, we know that businesses across the country see what we see in these men and women, talented, motivated and tested potential new employees,” said John Finneran, Capital One’s General Counsel. “We know from firsthand experience the value that our colleagues with military experience bring to our business. These are talented men and women and by providing job opportunities and investing in their success, the business community and our country have a great deal to gain.”

“Securing more than half a million employer commitments in such a short timespan was a tall order, but we have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm we’ve seen from the business community across the country that are stepping up to be a part of this critical mission,” said Eric Eversole, vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and executive director of   Hiring Our Heroes. “Capital One has been a strong partner throughout the process and continues to lead by example – both through their veteran recruitment efforts and the many resources they provide to military employees. Our shared appreciation and respect for that work ethic and the talent our nation’s service members and military spouses bring to the table, keeps us motivated and has allowed us to make a significant impact on veteran employment.”

In addition to facilitating job fairs, a major focus of Hiring Our Heroes is dedicated to helping military men and women successfully translate their military skills and experiences into compelling resumes that reflect their achievements in service. Throughout the campaign, Capital One and the U.S. Chamber Foundation have also hosted webinars for job-seekers and connected veterans and military spouses with experienced mentors. 

Capital One and the U.S Chamber Foundation have worked closely with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the businesses they represent to maximize the reach of the Hiring 500,000 Heroes initiative.  With the active engagement and support of groups that include the International Franchise Association, the Chamber’s Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Advisory Councils and millions of small businesses that make up the Chamber’s federation, to date, more than 800 hiring fairs have taken place across the country.

“Despite the great progress we’ve made thus far, the need for more aggressive veteran employment remains,” said Eversole. “Each year, we are seeing nearly 300,000 people transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce. Each one has unique skills to contribute to the workplace, centered on exemplary discipline and strong leadership and problem-solving skills.”

There is much more to be done to help these American heroes make the transition to get jobs and build careers here at home. To learn more about the campaign visit: www.hiring500000heroes.com.

Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Hiring Our Heroes has helped hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. And as a direct result of more than 820 job fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, 25,000 men and women have been hired by more than 1,500 businesses.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy and the global business environment.

About Capital One:
Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., had $204.3 billion in deposits and $300.2 billion in total assets as of September 30, 2014. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels. Capital One, N.A. has approximately 900 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.