Implementation and Progress of the Help Through Industry Retraining and Employment Program (HIRE)

Help Through Industry Retraining and Employment Program (HIRE) was announced by the Secretary of Labor in January 1977 as a program primarily to assist disabled veterans and Vietnam-era veterans obtain employment. HIRE has two segments a reimbursable activity for qualifying firms that wish to be compensated for extraordinary training costs incurred in training eligible persons and a voluntary activity for firms that are willing to employ eligible individuals without reimbursement.

As of December 2, 1977, Department of Labor officials had little information about the number of persons hired under the reimbursable program. The first report showed that 136 persons had been placed in the reimbursable program as of October 31, 1977; the second report showed 285 placements as of November 30, 1977. The National Alliance of Businessmen maintains information on the pledges received for the voluntary program and the number of hires reported by participating businesses. As of December 31, 1977, participating employers reported hiring about 20,000 veterans and 1,200 non-veterans under the voluntary activity. The Alliance had received pledges for approximately 65,400 jobs for the voluntary activity and had a goal of 100,000 pledges and hires.