Veterans receive business training at New York forum

12/15/2011

According to the Department of Labor, there are nearly 900,000 unemployed veterans in the United States, the website for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs reports. In October 2011, the average unemployment rate among all veterans was 7.7 percent - and 12.1 percent for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

A veteran himself, New York congressman Bob Turner recently expressed his desire to help get older Americans with armed forces experience back to work at a Veterans’ Small Business Forum in Brooklyn, the Queens Courier reports.

The event featured a panel discussion from representatives of national and local small business development organizations, government agencies and universities.

Veterans were provided with insight about small business loan initiatives such as at Patriot Loan Program and financing options like Surety Bonding. Small business opportunities, expansion and management tips were also discussed.

"Our veterans are some of the most highly-skilled, well-trained individuals in the world," Turner said, as quoted by the news source. "It is in the best interest of our nation and our economy to help them transfer their discipline, adaptability and drive into the business world."