NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - The federal government is reaching out to unemployed veterans to help them find a job.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "Hire Our Heroes" job fair event in North Little Rock to help local veterans get vital job training to help them find a new career.

Airman Bill Fugo prepares for a major life transition.

"After being taken care of for the last 26 years and then being let go. It's like starting over again," says Fugo.

Fugo spent that time working in information technology for the Air Force and now he's looking for civilian work.

"I'd have to say it's a little scary because of the unknown," says Fugo.

Between three and four hundred veterans took part in "Hiring Our Heroes," a national campaign to connect employers with vets. The American Legion helped put on the event at Sherwood Forest.

"Since March of 2011 there have been over 10-thousand veterans that have found meaningful employment through these hiring our hero hiring fair," says R.D. Kinsey, Commander of American Legion Post 74.

What makes the experience so unique is the face to face interaction there are more than 80 employers here looking to hire veterans and looking to hire them soon."

We have requisitions that are open right now and we're actively seeking employees right now. So this is a great time to become a member of the Bank of the Ozarks," says Cathy Clark with the Bank of the Ozarks.

The federal government rolled out a new retraining program for vets 35 to 60 looking for work. Qualified veterans can receive up to 12 months of funding if they enroll in a veterans affairs approved education program. With options and resources ahead of him, Fugo, says he's hopeful entering the job market.

"There were some smiling faces and some people who took my resume so that's a step in the right direction," says Fugo.

The Veterans retraining assistance program is limited to 45,000 participants. Interested veterans can contact your veteran's affairs office for an application. In order to apply, you must have your direct deposit information, the name and location of your school, the program you wish to pursue, and the occupation.

There will be another in September in North Little Rock if you are interested in attending.

Job seekers can apply online before the fair, and employers can register as well.