The Veterans Empolyment Program will be receiving additional funding to aid Pennsylania's veterans in their job search. | Craig Adderley/Pexels
The Veterans Empolyment Program will be receiving additional funding to aid Pennsylania's veterans in their job search. | Craig Adderley/Pexels
Through the Veterans Employment Program (VEP), $800,000 in state funding will be pumped into four workforce development projects in an effort to connect veterans with job opportunities for those in counties with high veteran unemployment rates.
The grants were awarded through the Department of Labor and Industry, using Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Industry Partnership and Reemployment funds. Educational Data Systems, Inc. will receive $200,000; NuPaths, LLC, will receive $199,998; Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc., is receiving $193,034; and Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board gets $192,332. These are all 100% funded at their requested amount, according to Gov. Tom Wolf's (D-PA) website.
Maj. General Mark Schindler, who is the state’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, pointed out that Pennsylvania is home to about 800,000 veterans, making it the fourth-largest veteran population in the country. He stressed the importance of helping with the transition into civilian life from military service.
“Workforce development opportunities offered through the Veterans Employment Program aid veterans in finding meaningful employment,” Schindler said, according to the governor's website.
The funding for Educational Data Systems is called the Veterans Career Acceleration Program (VCAP) and will provide a multi-week VCAP programs for 30 veterans. Ten other veterans will receive comprehensive career coaching as well.
NuPaths has a program called NuPaths for Veterans, in which 24 veterans (who are living in the proposed counties) will be trained for entry-level jobs for network technician and IT security analyst jobs. There will be an “accessible distance-learning format,” as well as technical skills training, certifications and assistance with job searches needed to start an apprenticeship or full-time job.
The Private Industry Council’s program is the PIC Veterans Employment program, where 36 veterans will be assisted in overcoming barriers to employment.
The Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board offers the Helping Hand Assisting Veterans in Lackawanna County program, which is for assisting through outreach, case management and employment acquisition assistance. This program focuses on one-on-one interaction and will help with occupational skills training and other training and placement assistance.
“Every one of Pennsylvania’s veterans made significant sacrifices in their service to our nation,” Wolf said. “Because of that, we owe them every opportunity we can provide to ease their transition to a civilian career. This funding will enable community organizations to assist our veterans in finding meaningful and family-sustaining jobs.”
While the programs are aimed to assist veterans, Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier added that they will also help employers.
“Pennsylvania employers need skilled workers to help their businesses grow and thrive, and as the economy continues to bounce back from the pandemic, veterans will play a vital role in filling the gaps in our labor force,” Berrier said. “The Veterans Employment Program will provide employment opportunities for our most honorable citizens and offer more comprehensive services to address barriers to employment and improve their employment outcomes.”
The Veterans Employment Program will start Friday, April 1, and continue until March 31, 2023.
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