The Department of Labor is expanding its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service program to include off-base locations.
The Department of Labor announced on Tuesday that it is adding eight off-base locations, including centers in Los Angeles and San Diego, to an off-base, pilot version of its existing Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, or VETS program.
The purpose of VETS is to help assist active duty service members, veterans, and spouses in transitioning to the civilian job market.
The off-base version of VETS is set to begin on Jan. 18, 2022, and has already secured five years of funding. This specific program offers “10, two-hour, instructor-led employment skills and workforce development workshops” for veterans and their spouses. Additionally, veterans currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves are still able to participate.
The department says the eight locations were chosen because they are “areas where large veteran populations face high rates of unemployment” according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Over time, the department hopes to add “at least 50 locations” to its pilot program but has yet to specify what locations will be chosen next. However, Bureau of Labor Statistics data lists California among states with the highest unemployment rates so it stands to reason that additional California cities could be chosen.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
