See how Vet Con is helping America's heroes get hired

See how Vet Con is helping Americas heroes get hired

See how Vet Con is helping Americas heroes get hired

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is holding it's Hiring Our Heroes event at the Wisconsin Center on Saturday, May 10th.

It's a different kind of mission compared to the ones Brandon Dunston is used to.

"It's been a little difficult because you're trying to match your military skills with current organizations looking to hire," said Dunston.

The army specialist returned home in November after seven years of service. He has a family to support, bills to pay, and on top of everything else, he's going back to school.

"A lot of the jobs, sometimes they have the openings a military vet won't qualify for because they haven't had time to finish their degree and whatnot. You kind of have to fight and scratch to get toward the top," said Dunston.

That's where an event like Vet Con comes into play. Specifically aimed to help veterans, Hiring Our Heroes began in March of 2011. Across the country, more than 1,500 companies have hired 21,000 veterans and military spouses.

Businesses like Mercury Marine have openings.

"Frankly, there is a good business case for us, the work we do requires excellent skills, the ability to work in teams, as well as the physicality to use the tools and do the work that we do," said Denise Devereaux, vice president of human resources.

Devereaux received an award from Governor Scott Walker for the work the Fond Du Lac based company does with veterans. The job fair is part of the Veteran and Services Conference, Vet Con for short.

The event even brings in people like Tim Thiers, a Navy veteran who stands in solidarity with fellow service members.

"It's important for veterans to show support and to come out, this stuff is needed," said Thiers.

Dunston says he made 12-15 contacts within 15 minutes and he can quickly apply to the jobs online.

"It's awesome because your name is out there 15 more times in the time it takes to get one job to call back," said Dunston.

Hopefully, Dunston will here 'you're hired' soon.

About 25 companies from large to small took part in the event. This type of job fair is held all over the country.