Today Governor Josh Stein proclaimed November 9-13 as “Employ A Veteran Week” with a variety of events being held statewide to help connect veterans to jobs and other services.
“North Carolina’s veterans have served our country with dedication, and we are committed to helping them succeed in the civilian workforce,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Their leadership, teamwork, and experience strengthen our state, and we are proud to support them as they put their skills to work and build meaningful careers in North Carolina.”
“Opportunity is built here in North Carolina, and veterans play a key role in strengthening our workforce,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Through our NCWorks Career Centers, we are honored to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses connect with the many employers who value their talents. As part of our First in Opportunity Plan, we are focused on attracting even more aerospace, defense, and national security-related jobs, for which veterans will be prime candidates.”
“North Carolina’s veterans bring proven leadership, resilience, and strong commitment to service that make them invaluable members of our workforce,” said N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette. “Employ A Veteran Week highlights the opportunities available to those who have served and reinforces our commitment to helping veterans, transitioning service members, and their families connect with meaningful careers. By working together with employers, workforce partners, and community organizations, we can ensure veterans continue to thrive and contribute to North Carolina’s success.”
Last week, Governor Stein joined the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at the Unlock the Veteran & MilSpouse Advantage Roadshow in Wilmington, the last of a statewide series connecting employers, workforce leaders, and community partners to explore how hiring from the military community strengthens North Carolina’s workforce, businesses, and economy.
Local events that can help veterans find employment and access other services include:
- Monday, Nov. 9 (9 a.m. - noon): The NCWorks Career Center – Lincoln County will hold a Veterans Job Fair at 529 Aspen St., Lincolnton. The first hour (9-10 a.m.) is open to veterans only.
- Monday, Nov. 9 (1 - 3 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Cabarrus County will hold a Veterans Day “Employ A Vet” and Resource Event at 845 Church St. North, Suite 201, Concord.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Iredell County will hold a Veterans Career & Resource Fair at 307 N. Center St., Statesville.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Centers of Gaston and Cleveland counties will hold a Job Fair at 300 S. Firestone St., Suite 100A, Gastonia. While veterans will receive priority and special recognition, the job fair is open to all jobseekers.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Burke County will hold a Hiring Veterans to Lead event with multiple employers at 200 Patrick Murphy Drive, Morganton. While veterans are the focus of the event, it is open to all jobseekers.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Cumberland County will hold an Employ A Veteran Hiring Event & Resource Fair at 490 N. McPherson Church Road, Fayetteville.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Rowan County will hold a Veterans Hiring Event at the Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher Street, Salisbury.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 (1 - 4 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Wilkes County will host a Veterans & Job Seekers Job and Resource Fair at 1320 West D Street, Suite 2, North Wilkesboro.
- Thursday, Nov. 12 (9 a.m. - noon): The N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Randolph County, and Randolph Community College are offering a Coffee and Light Breakfast for Military & Veteran Families event at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. A variety of nonprofit organizations and government agencies providing resources to veterans will be on hand to provide information.
- Friday, Nov. 13 (10 a.m. - noon): The NCWorks Career Center – Asheville (Buncombe County) will hold a Veterans Appreciation Event, featuring complimentary donuts and coffee, at 53 Asheland Ave., Asheville.
- Friday, Nov. 13 (12-2 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Haywood County will hold a Cookout in Honor of Veterans at 1170 N. Main St., Waynesville.
- Wednesday, Nov. 18 (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Pasquotank County will hold a Veterans Job Fair at 111 Jordan Plaza, Elizabeth City.
- Wednesday, Nov. 18 (1 - 3 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Anson County will hold a Veteran Hiring Event at 514 N. Washington St., Wadesboro.
- Wednesday, Nov. 18 (2 - 4 p.m.): The NCWorks Career Center – Caldwell County will hold a Veterans Hiring Event at the Caldwell County Public Library, 120 Hospital Ave., Lenoir. All jobseekers are welcome.
These and other events are listed on the N.C. Department of Commerce website.
The Department of Commerce, working in close partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, employs approximately 45 NCWorks Veterans Services professionals (all of whom are veterans themselves). Their primary mission is to help veterans find good jobs and training opportunities. These professionals are located across the state at local NCWorks Career Centers, which serve veterans and other jobseekers while also helping employers meet their talent needs. In many parts of the state, these professionals also play a key role as partners in Veterans Treatment Courts. The department also partners with North Carolina For Military Employment (NC4ME) on special hiring events.
Contact information for each career center can be found at NCWorks.gov. In addition, veterans and employers can access services through the NCWorks Veterans Portal at Veterans.NCWorks.gov. Among many other features, the Veterans Portal highlights North Carolina employers that have received federal “HIRE Vets” medallion awards. This tool helps veterans more easily find jobs that the recognized companies are currently advertising.
Veterans and their families are among the populations that the Governor's Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships has emphasized. Governor Stein created the council in 2025 to develop goals and strategies to enhance North Carolina’s workforce development efforts. The council has recommended ways to support veterans’ access to work-based learning and career opportunities through strategic partnerships with state officials, education leaders, employers, and other stakeholders.
Earlier this year, the council launched an Employer Engagement interest form, found at commerce.nc.gov/employers. By filling out this short form, North Carolina employers can pledge their partnership with the workforce system; share information about their workforce needs, experiences, and interests; and get connected to local partners who can assist with recruiting veterans, among others.
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NCWorks Veterans Services are 100 percent supported by the Jobs for Veterans State Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor as part of an award totaling $5,626,246.