Where do you hope VECI will be in a year?
Our hope is that even more education and employment opportunities will be available to our Veterans. The Veterans Economic Opportunity Report, released in January, found that almost half of separating Servicemembers will face a period of unemployment within the first 15 months after leaving the military. We are working to make sure that all Veterans connect to meaningful jobs and to close the gap between military service and civilian employment.
We also hope to see more Veterans using the GI Bill® and taking advantage of VA training programs, like Learning Hubs and Accelerated Learning Programs (ALP), and apprenticeships. Research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that higher education means higher income and lower unemployment, and at VA we are working to offer Veterans a variety of education programs to fit every learning style — from online training through ALPs to peer learning through Learning Hubs.
By September 2016, our goal is to have even more Economic Liaisons operating in U.S. communities, working alongside local leaders for the benefit of our Veterans.
Without a profile, users have access to the Military Skills Translator, which converts military occupational codes into job skills in the civilian workforce. VEC™ users can also search more than 2.2 million jobs on any given day.
There is no cost to employers to post their jobs or use the site. Veterans, Reservists, and transitioning service members can also connect to free training opportunities and access to a one-year LinkedIn© Job Seeker Subscription, valued at more than $360.
This tool is also part of the core Transition Assistance Program curriculum. So we have DOD, DOL, alongside the VA, using one system.
I urge all of your readers to check out the site by visiting www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs and create a profile.
Continue Reading on pages 18 and 19 to learn about some of the partnerships the VA has formed with private organzations and companies!
14