Faced with over 17,000 unemployed veterans, the city council
announced a program on Tuesday that aims to make it easier for
veterans to re-enter the civilian workforce. Through initiatives
like job search training, career coaching and help with
translating military certifications and experience into terms
civilian society can better understand.
The program is called the Veterans Employment Transition
Education Reintegration and Network Services (VETERANS).
The NYC Department of Small Busienss Services has a contract
with Seedco, a national nonprofit organization that advances
econominic opportunities for people, businesses, and
communities in need. Seedco operates two of the nation's
largest job centers in New York; one located in Upper
Manhattan and the other is in the Bronx.
Many veterans have great work experiencce, sought after
skills, and are self-motivated, making them ideal candidates.
However, there are obstacles to their job searchs when
returning to society after being in the military.
More and more vets are returning from the Middle East due
to troop withdrawals, making it important to address
this issue now.
Veterans represent a disproportionate share of America's
jobless, after protecting our freedoms abroad, we must
encourage their professional growth at home and help them
translate their valuable skills to marketable assets.
Programs like these are extremely necessary.
Sheila McKinney
