Vets hiring program reaches 10,000 jobs

By

The Associated Press

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe gives a thumbs up as he prepares to deliver his annual State of the Commonwealth address before a joint session of the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, top left, House speaker William Howell, R-Stafford, top center, and Senate president pro tem, Walter Stosch, R-Henrico, top right, look on. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia program aimed at hiring veterans is claiming 10,000 jobs pledged to vets.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced the milestone Wednesday for the Virginia Values Veterans Program during his State of the Commonwealth address before the General Assembly.

Since June 2012, the so-called V3 Program has accepted 234 member companies. Those companies have pledged 10,000 jobs and hired nearly 7,000 veterans.

McAuliffe has announced incentives to expand the program. They would reward companies for successfully recruiting, hiring and retaining service members and veterans seeking private sector employment.

The proposals are before the General Assembly.