On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Veteran unemployment data for the month of April. The unemployment rate for one closely watched group, Iraq and Afghanistan-era Veterans (or Gulf War II-era Veterans), fell more than a full percentage point to 9.2 percent.
While much work remains to be done, since January 2012, post-9/11 Veterans have experienced the lowest unemployment rate in any combined four-month period since 2008. Additionally, the trend over the past 28 months—since January 2010—remains downward for America’s most recent Veterans.
Tracking Veteran unemployment is notoriously difficult, and we often see significant swings from one month to the next—which is why looking at the long-term trend is critically important. While we’re heartened that the unemployment rate among younger Veterans has fallen over the long term, it is still too high as long as thousands of returning Veterans still can’t find meaningful work.
If anything, today’s positive figure reminds us that there’s still much work to be done. VA, in conjunction with the White House and our private sector partners, remains committed to ensuring that the unemployment rate for all Veterans continues its downward path.
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Over the five-year program, more than 14,000 VET TEC beneficiaries completed their program and nearly half have reported finding meaningful employment with an average starting annual salary of $65,000.
I am working with the female and malke vet groups here in South Carolina. I retired from the Marines in 97, since then i have become self trained as a headhunter(recruiter) in a specific industry and when i speak to the vets i provide guidance for transition and motivation to change. I know what its like i have been through it and suffered like others but made it. I own a business now and want to help so to the VA and the Federal Government you need to do the following:
1. Direct recruitment programs from the jmilitray to working for the VA and make the process streamlined not so difficult. It should be a requirement or at least a highly suggestion that anyone working with the VA be former military so they understand the Vet. right now you have civilians in some cases and forieghn MD’s that dont have a clue.
2. Each abse should hold at least once a quarter a invite to all DOD contract companies as a job fair. They should be held to a standard of direct recruitment if they want the contract.
3. National news media release of the CWT (compensated work therapy program) through all channels CNN,FOX,ABC,CBS Etc. Tell the public of the tax incentives for hiring vets.
4. Tax programs created for any College that institutes transition programs and degree completion programs for those that have at least a AA degree prior to seperation.
5. quartely list of local veterans in a geagraphic area should be up to date at the VA so companies can target that demographic and it should be electronic for ease of access and show what they are trained in not a MOS. IE truck mechanic,Avionics
6. One DOD job board free to active a retired military for upload of a resume open to the public . No Job adds just a resume database.
I am jmore than happy to help in any way possible for our brothers and sisters.
Semper FI
Gysgt J C Riley USMC Ret.
GYSGTJCRILEY@Hotmail.com
With the way elections and TV advertising are nowadays, I’d expect those who cannot influence our current Commander in Chief will slow everything down to try to give the other Party prominence. Sad but true. We The 99% People will suffer.