November 11th is Veterans Day, a time to honor the nation’s former military personnel. Every year more than 180,000 servicemembers leave the military to join the ranks of the nation’s 18 million veterans. When the troops transition back to civilian life, launching their next career — whether that means starting their own business or finding a job — is one of the first tasks at hand. Nearly 6% of all businesses are owned by veterans (according to the ).
If you’re a transitioning servicemember and budding entrepreneur, these resources can help you get started. The SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) helps veterans navigate the agency’s programs, including connecting vets to funding; their program offers training in the skills veterans need to successfully own and run a business; and the SBA’s offer business plan workshops, mentorship, and training.
Syracuse University’s runs several programs for former military personnel, including a course of civilian career training and professional certifications. IVMF’s offers online networking, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship classes.
Whether you’re a veteran or not, if you’re a business owner and looking to hire veterans, start your search with the from the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Labor’s .
And finally, take some time to thank the veterans in your life for their service and sacrifice.