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As part of an effort to promote major state initiatives concerning veterans’ education and employment, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) recently cohosted a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation “Hiring Our Heroes” roundtable discussion with the Maryland State Department of Veterans Affairs.

The forum reflects the university’s nearly 70-year commitment to providing career-relevant higher education for military and veteran students.

More than 50 people representing transition-assistance offices from area military installations, state and local government agencies, community outreach groups and employers attended the event, held at the UMUC Dorsey Station Center in Elkridge, Md.

A range of topics was discussed, including:

• Strategies to close the transition gap for service-members leaving the military.
• Approaches for engaging the private sector to assist veterans’ employment.
• Empowering veterans in their pursuit of education and employment.
• Employer best-practices in servicing veterans.

Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Honorable George Owings, provided a keynote address. His department promotes a number of initiatives related to employment and training for veterans. They include, Operation Hire Maryland, which supports employers as they develop or expand their veterans hiring and retention initiatives, the Veteran Employer Tool Kit and rehabilitation services to help veterans return to work.