RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ More than 1,450 veterans were hired in the most recent quarter through a Virginia program advocating the hiring of former military members. Gov. Terry McAuliffe says since the Virginia Values Veterans program began in 2012, companies in the state have hired a total of 6,636 veterans. Officials say federal numbers show Virginia has the highest labor force participation by veterans with more than 550,000 veterans in the state’s labor force. The program aims to train employers on the value of hiring veterans. Since its inception, 230 companies have set goals to hire 8,150 vets.
