Virtual hiring event to connect Veterans, others, to job opportunities with Service King

On March 16, the Daniel and Salvador Montoya Heroes Foundation, a VA partner, will host a virtual hiring event.

This event connects Veterans, transitioning service members and spouses to employment opportunities with Service King Collision Repair Centers, an industry-leading multi-state operator of high-quality collision repair services.

“Our goal is to highlight Veterans in a way that shows that the skills they learned or picked up in the military are vital to companies,” said Sarah Cruz, Heroes Foundation.

The partnership between Heroes Foundation and VA – formalized in September 2021 – provides opportunities to improve Veterans’ economic stability, access to employment and Veteran health literacy.

The organization helps Veterans, transitioning service members and spouses transition seamlessly from military life into careers with companies that are not only Veteran friendly but also considered Veteran ready.

Employers understand the military community

Heroes Foundation considers companies as Veteran ready when the employer understands the military community, is inclusive and supportive and offers strong Veteran-centric programs. According to Cruz, the organization wanted a Veteran-ready company at the upcoming hiring event to bridge the gap between job seekers and a potential employer.

“I think this event will help the military community see what their options are but also help them realize they have a lot to offer,” said Cruz.

Cruz first met Chris Montoya, president and CEO of Heroes Foundation, when her husband was transitioning from the Army after 13 years of service.

When he started looking for a new career, he felt there wasn’t a lot to include on his resume. Talking with Montoya helped him realize how transferable skills from the military are strengths to employers.

Employment based on their skills

“You go from a job where everyone says you’re a hero to feeling like you have no experience and are essentially starting over,” Cruz said. “I love that we get to help people find a path to successful employment based on their skills and not based on the list of jobs they’ve had.”

At the hiring event, participants from all over the country enter the virtual experience to meet with company representatives from Service King and learn more about the variety of jobs available. The company is offering multiple opportunities with different levels of skill expertise ranging from entry-level to leadership positions.

In addition to hiring events, the Heroes Foundation and VA aim to educate employers about existing VA employment resources for Veterans, including the Transition Assistance Program, the Veteran Readiness and Employment program and Compensated Work Therapy.

VA’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships facilitated this partnership.

To watch the Heroes Foundation’s webinar on Veteran-friendly companies versus Veteran-ready companies, enter passcode “jfG.=&A3” at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/s2g-PqAeeKdXoV3qAUmN1W2ZHfz9383qLnkXaRWkzFsCnhzliygMsaPY35yX2Qsc.9AZ6-4ZbH3Wonu7G.

Find additional information about the upcoming hiring event and to register.