Learn About Veterans’ Employment Assistance Programs

Finding jobs for veterans has been a priority for years, and numerous programs and services have been implemented to ensure veterans have all the assistance and support they need to find suitable employment.

While veteran jobs may not differ much from civilian positions in terms of pay or prestige, they should capitalize on veterans’ unique skillsets and offer them enough benefits and resources to enable them to sustain long-term employment.

However, finding the appropriate both military and disabled veterans, can be challenging, and veterans may not know where get the help they need.

The following sections explain the types of employment assistance programs that target veteran workers and the other resources that may help them obtain rewarding careers.

For instance, veterans employment and training service opportunities are available nationwide to prepare veterans to reenter the workforce and give employers the ability to find qualified veterans.

To learn more about employment programs meant to assist you or your loved ones following a military career, review the sections below.

About the VETS Program

The Veteran’s Employment and Training Service (VETS) program provides retired military servicemembers with access to various employment resources and advice from expert career professionals.

VETS cannot guarantee to acquire jobs for veterans, but it can offer significant benefits and employment opportunities to potential employees. Additionally, VETS can help military spouses find employment. The following types of resources are available via veteran employment programs like VETS:

• Job search and career guidance. VETS can direct you to one of more than 2,400 American Job Centers (AJCs) in the U.S. for complimentary career guidance. Veterans are encouraged to visit AJCs for career assistance as they receive priority of service and may need more intensive case management. However, veterans are responsible for reporting their military status to the veteran’s employment center they choose to visit.
• Work experience opportunities. You can find and apply for apprenticeships, internships and other work experience opportunities via VETS. Companies like UPS, MUTI and Allied Barton are currently hiring veteran apprentices, so veterans are advised to research opportunities they may like to explore.
• Transition assistance. To prepare and protect veterans who are reentering the workforce, the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), a subset of VETS, holds employment workshops worldwide for military servicemembers. This program was founded in 2011 and requires all servicemembers leaving the military on good terms to attend TAP workshops either online or in person. Workshops discuss topics such as financial planning, employable skills, how to access higher education and VA benefits that can help them transition to the workforce effectively. Workshops are completely free and may also be beneficial for veteran spouses to explore. Participation guides and the full TAP curriculum are available online for your convenience.
• Career information for women veterans. The Women Veteran Program is a part of VETS that addresses male and female inequality. While fewer veterans are female in the U.S. than male, women veterans still require personalized services and career services. Information about women veterans in the workforce is updated regularly and posted to the women VETS’ website.
• Hiring information for employers. Veteran job placement information is publicly available to employers through VETS. Employers may find qualified veterans to hire, learn about veteran employment policies and join programs such as HIRE Vets to give them the ability to recruit and retain veteran employees.

Veterans should utilize VETS to find veterans jobs that will both supply them with funds and satisfy their career goals. However, veterans are reminded that job availability may vary, extending the process of finding a job.

Learn About the HIRE Vets Program

Other veteran training programs provide veterans with great employment services including the HIRE Vets Program that went into effect in 2017.

While VETS is a type of veteran’s job assistance program, HIRE Vets is a program dedicated to increasing the number of institutions willing to hire veteran employees.

By recognizing employers who attempt to recruit, hire and retain veteran workers, business become more inclined to offer veteran-specific benefits and training opportunities to their employees. The criteria that employers must follow to qualify for benefits depend on their size, but the following criteria apply to most employers:

• Hire a percentage of new veteran hires
• Retain a percentage of veteran employees for at least 12 months
• Have and maintain a percentage of total employees that are veterans
• Support veteran employees by dedicating an HR professional to recruiting veterans
• Offer free job training for veterans\

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Employers hoping to take advantage of this opportunity to invite more veteran employees into their businesses must send in applications each year by the deadline imposed by VETS. Medallion awards are distributed after all applications are received and reviewed.

Find Out About Jobs for Veterans

Assistance programs can provide veterans with financial support and resources to find jobs if they have been honorably discharged from service and are actively seeking employment. However, help for unemployed veterans is limited and may not be able to support military families.

Therefore, veterans must find employment as soon as possible after being discharged to ensure they can make a decent living. Still, veterans often want to find lasting careers that they can enjoy and value rather than temporary positions with little room for advancement.

The following types of jobs for veterans may give you ideas about the kind of employee you would like to be after serving the country:

• Operations manager
• Customer service representative
• Information technology (IT) worker
• Accountant or auditor
• Auto mechanic
• Software applications developer
• Supervisor
• Sales accountant
• Human resources manager
• Electrician
• Commercial driver
• Computer engineer

Jobs for disabled veterans may need to allow flexible work hours, be less physically intensive and require a shorter commute. Resources available via VETS and other employment services can help veterans choose the right career for them by asking placement questions and evaluating their work skills.

These assistance programs can also train vets in growing industries to help them find work fast.

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