NEW YORK— Faced with over 17,000 unemployed veterans, 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 New York City Department of Small Business Services has a contract with Seedco, a national nonprofit organization that advances economic opportunities for people, businesses, and communities in need. Seedco operates two of the nation’s largest job centers in New York; one is located in Upper Manhattan and the other is in the Bronx.
Many veterans have great work experience, sought after skills, and are self-motivated, making them ideal for employment in a variety of positions in different fields. However, there are obstacles to their job searchs when returning to society after being in the military; the principal one being a lack of knowledge about how to find a job.
More and more vets are returning from the Middle East due to troop withdrawals, making it important to address this issue now rather then later. In the last year alone, the number of unemployed veterans in New York City has increased by 4,700, “A startling increase in unemployment in one year,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
The program is called the Veterans Employment Transition Education Reintegration and Network Services (VETERANS). The New York City Department of Small Business Services has a contract with Seedco, a national nonprofit organization that advances economic opportunities for people, businesses, and communities in need. Seedco operates two of the nation’s largest job centers in New York; one is located in Upper Manhattan and the other is in the Bronx.
Many veterans have great work experience, sought after skills, and are self-motivated, making them ideal for employment in a variety of positions in different fields. However, there are obstacles to their job searchs when returning to society after being in the military; the principal one being a lack of knowledge about how to find a job.
More and more vets are returning from the Middle East due to troop withdrawals, making it important to address this issue now rather then later. In the last year alone, the number of unemployed veterans in New York City has increased by 4,700, “A startling increase in unemployment in one year,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
““Veterans represent a disproportionate share of America’s jobless, after protecting our freedoms abroad, we must encourage their professional growth at home,” stated Councilwoman Diana Reyna, chair of the Committee on Small Business in a press release.
Microsoft, TD Bank, and other businesses have partnered with Seedco and WorkForce1 to make open positions more accessible to proficient veterans. According to Reyna, the program has already served over 100 veterans and gotten jobs for dozens of them.”
Present at the press conference were veterans who are directly impacted by VETERANS. Frank Vazquez, a 30-year-old Navy veteran, spoke about his experience finding a job after the military. “There’s this program called SMART, [that] takes key points, such as customer service or sales, and matches your resume up with any particular job search, and send[s] you e-mails telling you these jobs are available. The partners that work at Workforce One, they call me and let me know, ‘Hey, are you interested in this position? I can send them your information.’ They ask my permission first; they end up sending different companies my information.” Vazquez pointed out that before learning of this support system, he was unable to find a job in electronics, a field he had work experience in from his time in the military. Now, he has several job interviews this week.
Later in the day, the council’s committee on Small Business and the Committee on Veterans held a joint hearing to explore the high veteran unemployment statistics, as well as business issues that concern veterans, like the business community’s attitude and actions toward veterans.
Microsoft, TD Bank, and other businesses have partnered with Seedco and WorkForce1 to make open positions more accessible to proficient veterans. According to Reyna, the program has already served over 100 veterans and gotten jobs for dozens of them.”
Present at the press conference were veterans who are directly impacted by VETERANS. Frank Vazquez, a 30-year-old Navy veteran, spoke about his experience finding a job after the military. “There’s this program called SMART, [that] takes key points, such as customer service or sales, and matches your resume up with any particular job search, and send[s] you e-mails telling you these jobs are available. The partners that work at Workforce One, they call me and let me know, ‘Hey, are you interested in this position? I can send them your information.’ They ask my permission first; they end up sending different companies my information.” Vazquez pointed out that before learning of this support system, he was unable to find a job in electronics, a field he had work experience in from his time in the military. Now, he has several job interviews this week.
Later in the day, the council’s committee on Small Business and the Committee on Veterans held a joint hearing to explore the high veteran unemployment statistics, as well as business issues that concern veterans, like the business community’s attitude and actions toward veterans.
