By Jolie Lee
Federal News Radio

Thanks in part to the President’s Veterans Hiring Initiative, more than 32,800 vets were hired by federal agencies in the first six months of FY2010, according to a release from the Office of Personnel Management.

Veterans accounted for more than 30 percent of new hires in the first half of FY2010, compared to 28.6 percent during the same time period the previous year.

“The strong sense of patriotism and public service held by members of our armed forces does not leave them when they exit from active duty,” said John Berry, OPM director. “It benefits our government to utilize their skills and dedication to service.”

All federal agencies now have more aggressive benchmarks for hiring vets based on the current percentage of vets hired, including disabled veterans.

The Veteran Employment Initiative Executive Order, issued in November 2009, helps federal agencies identify qualified vets, clarifies the hiring process for veterans looking for federal jobs and helps vets adjust to civilian life once hired. This year the government set up a website to provide more information for job-seeking vets.

The agencies with the most increases in vet hiring are the Department of Treasury, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Justice and the Department of Interior.

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