The unemployment rate for veterans is higher than the national average, and in our area, the VA is hoping to lower that number with a job fair. Our Erin Vannella reports.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- "I'm a disabled veteran looking for a job for four or five years now and nobody ever called me back when I filled out an application," said Cohoes resident Scott Vandenburgh. "So I was hoping I'd come here and get lucky."

Scott Vandenburgh and a rising number of unemployed veterans table hopped at Stratton VA's annual job fair.

"You go through depression, you go through a lot of stuff, but you pick yourself back up because you got a son to fight for," said Vandenburgh. "That's all that matters to me is trying to raise him."

"It's just kinda tough out there," said Albany resident Steve LaMere. "There's no real money to be made out there. So when something like this comes up, especially for veterans, I come and take a look to see what's going on."

42 employers set up shop with openings and opportunities, and outstretched hands for resumes and specialized skill sets.

"The leadership skills that they take away from the military, just what they've done in their careers is something that can transition easily," said Vicki Goodyear, Home Depot District Human Resources Manager.

"We help them with interviewing skills, with resume writing, we match them, we can actually help set them up with employers in the community," said Maureen Corbett, VA Vocational Program Manager.

Employers said veterans are great assets in the workplace with a bank of experience many professionals don't have. But, veterans said it is a tough transition. They are not looking for handouts, just help getting back to normal.

"I didn't do it to get a job or anything else," said Vandenburgh. "You do it because you want to do it. You'll get lucky some day. Something will open up."