A report from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), released on Thursday, highlighted the fact that the number of Veterans employed by the federal government increased in 2010. The report shows a definite step in the right direction–with a 1.6 percent uptick in Veteran hiring, as the Army Times notes:

OPM Director John Berry said in a statement that Obama’s veterans hiring initiative is “helping tens of thousands” of veterans. “These are some of the best, brightest and hardest working Americans in the federal government,” he said.

1.6 percent represents about 2,000 new Veteran hires within the Federal government in 2010, and while any increase is positive, we know there’s a lot more that can be done. VA has several programs designed to help Veterans prepare for, find, and keep jobs, including Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) and VetSuccess.

These programs offer Veterans:

  • Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment
  • Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services
  • Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance
  • Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations
  • On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences
  • Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school
  • Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and medical referrals
  • Independent living services for Veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities</blockquote>

You can find more information at the VR&E website and at the VetSuccess website.

Topics in this story

EmploymentVA CareersVocational Rehabilitation and Employment

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7 Comments

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  2. Brian Greenberg July 9, 2011 at 02:03

    Finding jobs right now is near impossible. Unemployment is over 9% right now. Online businesses could be good for vets, as many companies are required to buy from disabled vets by law.

  3. Jim June 30, 2011 at 16:40

    1.6% ? I know of several vets who were on a CWT program in the VA’s cafeteria. They were turned down by the cafeteria contractor in lieu of two teenagers and a thirty year old. Nepotism at work in a small rural town. What gives ?

  4. Rachael June 30, 2011 at 13:08

    My husband was medically discharged from the Army after 17 1/2 years of service. The Army gave him 30%, but the VA has rated him at 90%. He has been trying to get a job for two years now with no luck. He has even gone to school and got his Peace Officer Certification and STILL can’t get a job. Not having a job has greatly affected his mental health and his self-worth. Most people look at him and don’t see a disabled person and therefore see him as lazy because he doesn’t have a job. It is very frustrating for me and causes me to look at the DoD in a different light.

  5. patrick gullickson June 30, 2011 at 10:26

    SEmper Fi marine! Thank you for your service to our country! Honor is in a marines heart, and nobody can take that away! With respect to your family and you marine! Tears in my eyes! Patrick gullickson a honorabled discharged vet injured in boot 1980 no chance for me!

  6. Stuart June 30, 2011 at 09:59

    Was laid off about two years ago. As a Vietnam veteran – 30% disability, a few combat decorations, enlisted not drafted – I thought getting a job at the VA itself would be good. I’ve applied for a string of them – even got interviewed for one, got a notice that another was withdrawn. But for most of the rest, not a word, either positive or negative.

    For my latest trick … Army civilian job, for which I am highly qualified, indeed its a notch or two (or three or four) below the grade indicated by my equivalent civilian experience. Waiting almost five months for official word … says on the webiste that about four weeks ago my resume was sent to the selecting official. But still not a word either by mail or eMail. Similarly a TSA job (very high grade), months and months and all it says on the TSA web site is still evaluating my qualifications.

    Very frustrating.

  7. Linda June 30, 2011 at 09:14

    My husband is a honorably discharged marine. He served from 1981-1985 and was sent to Lebanon during/after the bombing of the Marine barracks. He has not been able to get a job at the VA because he doesn’t have a medal from that era. He has tried applying for a position in housekeeping a few times, but eventually gave up. He is a veteran! Why is he and others from peace time years excluded from getting work at the VA?

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