Operation: Workforce, an online one-stop shop portal for all veteran employment issues in Georgia, is currently serving more than 1,700 veterans and 730 Georgia employers. Created in November 2012, the site was launched by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development as a part of Gov. Nathan Deal’s veteran-specific initiative to help connect our heroes with meaningful employment.

“These veterans have served selflessly to ensure a bright future for our country, and it’s our turn to lead them on the same path,” said Deal. “This initiative is a way for us to demonstrate our gratitude while also equipping Georgia with some of our country’s best workforce development resources. To the hundreds of Georgia businesses involved in this initiative, thank you for your support.”

On Operationworkforce.com, veterans build profiles that highlight their skills and experience, search for jobs using their military occupational job codes, and access valuable resources from veteran service providers. Georgia employers, who have signed the “Hire a Georgia Veteran” pledge upon registering, can use the site to list job openings and view the professional profiles of potential veteran employees in their area.

As many skilled trade workers approach retirement age, trade sectors such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, engineering and telecommunications are experiencing a labor shortage. At the same time, unemployment among veterans remains elevated relative to the general population.

“By linking businesses to skilled workers and connecting veterans with the jobs they deserve, Operation: Workforce tackles two pressing problems,” said Ben Hames, executive director of GOWD. “Our office is proud to lead a program that helps the state’s returning veterans, while simultaneously strengthening Georgia’s workforce.”

There are more than 60,000 veterans expected to return to Georgia by 2016 and more than 60,000 skilled trade jobs opening projected by 2020.