To honor veterans, CareerSource Southwest Florida will hold a virtual job fair Tuesday to help employ those who have served our country.

“We are committed to helping veterans and their spouses find meaningful employment,” CareerSource Southwest Florida Executive Director Joe Paterno said in a prepared statement. “Veterans have served our country, it is now our turn to serve them.”

CareerSource Southwest Florida Communications Manager Janeth Castrejon said Paychecks for Patriots is a state initiative that began eight years ago. She said they joined to honor veterans by bridging the gap between employers, veterans and their spouses in Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Collier counties.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and participating Florida employers partnered with CareerSource Florida to connect veterans to careers in their communities as a way to celebrate Veterans Day.

Due to COVID-19, Paychecks for Patriots, a hiring fair, will be held in a virtual environment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.on Nov. 10. Those interested in attending the job fair are asked to preregister at https://bit.ly/3kdUM0L and download their resume and be available between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday.

“We have over 50 employers within the Southwest Florida area,” she said.

The hiring event, originally focused on veterans and their spouses, has been open to anyone looking for work, job opportunities, or a career path.

“This is the event to sign up for and it is completely free,” Castrejon said. “There is lots of opportunities, companies hiring. This is an event that is proving that type of result.”

Some of the companies include Home Team Pest Defense, Lee County and Collier County Government, Lee Health, Waste Pro, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Gillis Construction and NeoGenomics.

She said the jobs range from site engineers, technicians, cashiers and corporate directors.

“The array of various industries and jobs that are needed in our very own backyard, this is what the great event is offering to anyone,” Castrejon said.

The event will be through Premier Virtual, allowing participants to visit virtual booths for all 50 employers, giving them an opportunity to find out information about the company, read the job description for every position and view social media channels the company has to follow in the future.

“They can initiate and ask questions about the jobs. It’s a great opportunity to network and talk to recruiters from a diverse group of companies in Southwest Florida,” Castrejon said.

CareerSource offers veteran programs year round to help provide job assistance.

“Paychecks for Patriots is one of those hiring events that is successful in helping veterans finding career paths and jobs they are after,” she said.

More than 6,280 veteran candidates and military family members that participated in Paychecks for Patriots events across Florida have gained employment over the past seven years.

Castrejon, who was in the Army for four years, said when she left the military it was a challenging transition into the civilian world.

“It can be quite daunting, stressful and challenging. CareerSource has a dedicated individual staff that understands the complexity of coming from the military into the civilian world,” she said, adding that the staff helps in making it a smooth transition. “I was able to find a job, but with the assistance we offer here is phenomenal. We hold them by the hand until they land what they really want and what they are after.”

Castrejon said she is grateful for the CareerSource mentality. She said they all know how much veterans have sacrificed for the country.

“It’s a huge culture shock from a military environment to the civilian environment. In the military you are guided through steps and go through promotions and have an idea of what jobs are in your field,” Castrejon said. “In the civilian world it is wide open and up to you.”