San Antonio, TX - U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James' message reaffirming the federal government's support for hiring veterans was delivered by Major Barry Williams, a White House Fellow at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to a crowded room of participants at this year's annual Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) convention. Attendees were told of the many opportunities available in the federal government as well as the preference veterans are afforded in the federal hiring process, and were encouraged to utilize the tools made available in the new Veteran Invitational Program (VIP).

"President Bush greatly appreciates the selfless contributions of our men and women in uniform, and he recognizes the value that our veterans bring to the federal workforce when their days in uniform come to an end. The President wants to ensure his administration makes every effort to help our veterans as they transition to civilian life," was the Director's message delivered through Williams. James believes that "Veterans' preference is a critical tool to enhance the federal workforce, not just because it is the law of the land, but because adding a veteran to the work force adds quality, commitment, discipline and dedication to achieving our mission."

OPM officials have identified a potential shortage of knowledgeable workers due to retirements, so the agency has unleashed extensive new recruitment efforts aimed at veterans and other groups to attract new workers to the federal work force. OPM has also recently updated its www.usajobs.gov website enabling job seekers to more easily access and navigate through all available federal jobs.

"Now more than ever, the federal government needs new talent in our work force" added Williams. "This is an opportunity to reach out and, once again, bring the formidable skills and professionalism of those trained in service to this country back to the table."

A tandem effort between OPM and Transition Assistance Program offices on military bases, VIP will target veterans nationwide by providing informative educational tools and publications to Veterans' Service Organizations (VSOs) and federal regional offices of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Labor. The new VIP will educate veterans and allow a timely and accurate distribution of information on job opportunities in the federal workforce.

Director James recently issued a memorandum to heads of agencies and departments reminding them of their obligations to hire veterans and is currently exploring an opportunity to partner with the Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service, to develop a training program designed to assist federal agencies in recruiting and hiring veterans.

In addition to the VIP and participation in veteran-focused events, OPM meets on a quarterly basis with VSOs to hear their concerns regarding issues of importance to veterans' and to enlist their help in identifying ways to eliminate obstacles to employment of veterans.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.