The state of Texas is home to the second-largest population of U.S. military veterans in the country, with nearly 20,000 service members transitioning from Texas military facilities to civilian life every year. Close to 40,000 veterans are currently seeking employment, and employers are discovering the benefits of adding vets to their employee rosters. Here are just a few of the incentives for employers who recognize the value that military service brings to the workplace:
Tax Benefits
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reports that federal tax benefits may be available to employers who hire veterans under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), ranging between $2,400 and $9,600.
Training Support
Sponsored by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Skills for Veterans program provides funds for the training needs of post-9/11 veterans and entering the Texas workforce. Any private business may apply to the TWC for training offered by local colleges or by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) to advance the skills of recently hired veterans.
Compliance Help for Federal Contractors
As of 2014, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) requires that federal contractors establish annual hiring benchmarks for protected veterans. For contractors based in Texas, WorkInTexas.com offers numerous services to help comply with the rule.
“We Hire Vets” Employer Recognition Program
In 2017 the Office of the Governor and the Texas Workforce Commission partnered with the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to create the “We Hire Vets” employer recognition program. Employers whose workforce consists of at least 10 percent veterans are recognized with a decal to display on their storefronts and an electronic badge to feature on their websites. As TVC Executive Director Thomas Palladino noted upon the program’s launch, “hiring veterans is not good will, it’s good for business.”
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