84 Lumber advocates for Veterans
Eighty-Four, Pennsylvania-based 84 Lumber called companies to recognize the importance of National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25th, 2024.
This day serves as a critical reminder for employers to consider hiring American military veterans transitioning into civilian employment.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, roughly 200,000 veterans enter the civilian workforce each year. Finding a job and finding a purposeful career tops their list of challenges. National Hire a Veteran Day, founded in 2017 by Marine Corps veteran Dan Caporale, is one way to remind potential employers that the best way to honor a veteran is to hire one.
According to a poll from Employ Inc., 81 percent of hiring professionals are having trouble filling jobs.“Veterans should be the first stop in filling those open roles in today's competitive job market,” said Joe Jena, director of talent acquisition at 84 Lumber, who emphasizes the company's commitment to veterans.
Ultimately, it’s about respect for their service and their training.
“Veterans bring extremely competitive skills to civilian jobs, along with core values military service cultivates like dedication, teamwork, and pride,” he said.
“Veterans are key contributors to 84 Lumber,” continued Jena, observing these individuals are not afraid of hard work and are willing to do what it takes to get the job done. “With our ‘Promote from Within Culture’, individuals who have served in the U.S. military thrive in 84 Lumber’s environment and move up the ladder quickly,” he said.
“Individuals receive hands-on training, allowing them to utilize the vast skillset acquired during their service. “We’ve found that 84 Lumber aligns very well with the values of military veterans. When someone retires from the military, they’re typically used to a very structured, hard-working environment where they can grow and move up the ranks. That’s why veterans tend to thrive at 84 Lumber and become some of our most successful associates,” explained Jena.
Jena also acknowledged the unique challenges in hiring veterans.
Call center
“We have opportunities right now across the company and the nation,” said Jena. “You do not need a college degree or prior experience to work at 84 Lumber. We train you from the ground up.”
The call center will be open on Thursday, July 25 – National Hire a Veteran Day – from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. EST. Call 724-228-1885 to speak with a live recruiter.
“Civilian companies hiring military veterans have the added challenge of interpreting unfamiliar experience into valuable, career-based skills – how does being an M1A1 Abrams tank operator or platoon leader translate into civilian life?”
Sometimes knowledge is key. While combat roles seem extreme or foreign to hiring managers of civilian companies, those roles breed problem-solving, disciplined individuals, who thrive under pressure.
Additionally, a relatively small percentage of people who serve in the Armed Forces are in combat roles, meaning many vets served in roles that exist in the civilian world such as healthcare, communications, cybersecurity, logistics, and more.
“Military experience and its related qualities – leadership, respect, teamwork, loyalty, and the ability to produce results under pressure – can help any company reach new heights,” added Jena.
84 Lumber has been supporting Fisher House Foundation since 2019. The organization’s Fisher Houses, built across the globe, provide a “home away from home” for service members, veterans, and their families. Since its start in 1991 when the first Fisher House was opened alongside former President H.W. Bush and First Lady of the United States Barbara Bush, Fisher House Foundation has saved military and veterans’ families around $610 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. 84 has generously donated over $1 million throughout the years in support of the organization. The foundation recently began building its 100th comfort home this year in Chicago.