Letter to the Editor from NCUA Board Member Fryzel – Veterans letter

May 19, 2014

Mr. Randy Smith
Publishing/Managing Editor
CU Insight

Dear Randy:

On October 1, 2012, I wrote to you regarding my challenge for credit unions across this country to make a determined effort to hire returning service men and women.  In that letter, I also shared with you and your readers what NCUA was doing to hire more veterans.

It is now almost 20 months later and we are preparing to celebrate Memorial Day, a day honoring all those who gave their lives in service to our country by protecting the freedoms we enjoy.

As the military prepares to withdraw from Afghanistan and most of the remaining 33,000 troops return home, I thought it was a good time to repeat that pledge and update you about NCUA’s continued efforts to do our part and reach the goals we have set.

As of March 2014, veterans make up 15.9 percent of NCUA’s workforce; we are aiming for 18 percent and have made steady progress.  Disabled veterans consist of 6.4 percent of the workforce with our goal being 7 percent.  NCUA continues to establish relationships with veterans and veteran organizations by attending job fairs, recruiting events and informational fairs, and by providing information about NCUA and its mission.

We continue our partnership with the National Veteran’s Employment Coordinators (VEC) to increase our outreach.  The VEC has provided names of disabled veterans to managers soliciting applicants from this source.  In turn, the agency has provided the VEC with NCUA vacancy announcements to aid veterans in their job searches.  Agency vacancy announcements are also provided to the state vocational rehabilitation counselors who provided names of qualified individuals with disabilities, which includes veterans.

NCUA’s work with the Department of Veterans Affairs enables us to participate in their Recruiting and Staffing Program.  This allows NCUA use of the department’s web-based tool to post job opportunities specifically to veterans through the Feds for Vets website as well as social media channels like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.  It also allows us to utilize a searchable resume database as a tool to seek qualified veterans.

Most of NCUA’s vacancy announcements are open government-wide as well as to the public. This allows NCUA the opportunity to attract and hire more diverse candidates, including veterans.

The following table shows NCUA improvement in veterans’ employment as compared to total agency employees from 2009 to 2014.

*Hires as of 4/30/2014*

Over the last five years, our percentage of veteran hires to total hires has steadily increased or remained the same as shown below:

*Hires as of 4/30/2014*

I believe NCUA’s numbers show our commitment to veterans and again ask credit unions to reaffirm their commitment to hiring veterans as well.

Sincerely,

Michael E. Fryzel

Board Member