Department of Puerto Rico sponsors career fair to help local economy

The American Legion Department of Puerto Rico’s efforts to assist the nation’s economy continued with a career and resources fair that drew over 40 employers and approximately 70 job seekers.

The Oct. 19 event in Carolina, P.R., was held in conjunction with SkillMil, the Department of Labor and Human Resources, the Fort Buchanan Transition Office, and the Municipality of Carolina for veterans, dependents of active servicemembers, reserve and National Guard.

“Puerto Rico has been suffering an economic recession since 2009. Since then, we have lost more than a million residents who have gone to the continental United States in search of a better quality of life; many of them are young veterans, seriously affecting the local economy,” Department Commander Carmen Rosario said.

“Since 2010, the Department of Puerto Rico has been committed to offering veterans, dependents of active members of the armed forces, reservists and National Guards the opportunity to obtain secure employment and, in this way, protect the local economy.”

Employers on hand for the event at the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in Carolina represented federal and state agencies, and private companies in food, security, janitorial, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, health care, marketing, law enforcement, and technology.

The VA’s regional benefits office and VBA/Veteran Readiness & Employment also participated in the event, providing information on benefits and programs to the participating veterans and dependents.