Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Monday that more than 140 local employers have pledged to hire more than 10,000 veterans over the next three years.
The initiative includes 100 private sector employers and 40 local non-profit and public sector employers. Various federal, state and local government agencies will refer veterans looking for jobs to these companies. The agencies will also meet regularly to coordinate job training and other services for veterans.
Among the local companies participating are Activision Blizzard Inc., DreamWorks Animation, Farmers Insurance Group, Panda Express, Public Storage Co. and Southern California Edison.
Garcetti said in a statement that thousands of veterans are now returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and will need civilian jobs.
“The 10,000 Strong initiative aims to serve those men and women who have done so much to serve our country,” Garcetti said in a statement. “By bringing together a vast network of regional non-profits, public organizations, and private-sector employers, we can put 10,000 Angeleno veterans back to work, benefiting our families, our neighborhoods, and our economy.”