Ohio starts online registry for employers with preference for hiring veterans, active military

Ohio has rolled out an online registry letting military veterans know which employers are looking to hire veterans.

Registry proponents suggest it should result in more jobs for veterans and active service members. But others, like Army veteran Buck Clay of Cincinnati, are skeptical that the growing numbers of websites and online registries aimed at assisting veterans actually lead to jobs.

The Ohio registry, stemming from a 2014 law, went online Dec. 19 with about 300 employer names. It enables employers to show they have a preference policy for hiring, promoting or retaining veterans, service members or their spouses or surviving spouses.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services must maintain the registry and provide a link on its OhioMeansJobs website for employers wanting to get on the registry.