State Agencies and Service Organizations to Assist Veterans and Current Service Members in Obtaining Occupational Licenses and Securing a Job

Portland, Maine - In a coordinated effort to assist veterans and those currently serving in the military with obtaining state licenses and locating jobs, state and private partners will hold an Occupational Licensing and Job Fair on March 4, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 772 Stevens Avenue Armory in Portland. Current and past military members are invited to attend, receive a printed Verification of Military Education and Training (VMET) and use relevant military experience toward licensing requirements in four licensed trades. Veterans must provide proof of honorable discharge (DD 214).

"Our veterans have served us with honor, and it is only right that we help them get back into the civilian workforce with a good-paying job," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "I encourage our veterans who want to work in these fields to attend the fair. Our Departments of Labor, Professional and Financial Regulation and Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management are collaborating in new ways to ensure our veterans get the support they deserve."

Staff from Maine's Department of Professional and Financial Regulation will be present to assist attendees in applying their military experience toward state requirements for obtaining an occupational license. Professionals in each field will also be on hand to help translate military training and education into civilian trade equivalency.

The Occupational Licensing and Job Fair for Veterans and Service Members will focus primarily on four occupations: **Electricians, Plumbers, Stationary Steam Engineers, Boiler Operators/Oil/ Propane/ Natural Gas/ Solid Fuel Technicians**.

Multiple employers with open positions in these respective fields will be present and conducting interviews at the Job Fair. Attendees are encouraged to bring a targeted resume, any relevant letters from current and former employers and dress in a professional manner, ready for an interview.

The event is made possible with help from the Maine Military and Community Network, the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, the Maine Department of Labor and Employers in Support of the Guard and Reserve. For more information, please contact Nathaniel Grace at Nathaniel.e.grace.mil@mail.mil or 207-430-5651.