17,000 vets to benefit from $27M in job training grants

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao on June 25 announced 94 grants, totaling nearly $27 million, to provide approximately 17,000 veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) and Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).

"These $27 million in grants will help more than 16,000 veterans access the resources they need to find good jobs and build a bright future for themselves and their families," said Secretary Chao.

Funds are being awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. These agencies are familiar with the areas and populations to be served and have demonstrated that they can administer effective programs.

More than $6.7 million will support 12 VWIP grants to help veterans from targeted groups overcome employment barriers and ease their transition into unsubsidized jobs. Through this program, veterans receive skills assessments, individual job counseling, labor market information, classroom or on-the-job training, skills upgrading and retraining, placement assistance and crucial follow-up services. The Labor Department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) expects these grants to provide training for more than 3,800 veterans, who may also be eligible for services through other Workforce Investment Act programs for economically disadvantaged or dislocated workers.

To assist homeless veterans with reintegration into America's workforce, the Labor Department is awarding more than $20 million in 82 HVRP grants. These funds are being distributed nationwide through 35 newly competed grants and 47 current grants receiving second- and third-year funding. Homeless veterans may receive occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services. VETS expects these funds to help more than 12,600 veterans. HVRP is recognized as an extraordinarily efficient and effective program and is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on employment of veterans who are homeless.

The HVRP grants include two cooperative agreements that will assist in developing the HVRP National Technical Assistance Center. The center will provide technical assistance to current grantees, potential applicants and the public; gather grantee best practices, conduct employment-related research on homeless veterans; conduct regional grantee training sessions and self-employment boot camps; and perform outreach to the employer community to increase job opportunities for veterans.

Grantees under both programs network and coordinate their efforts with various local, state and federal social service providers. More information on the Department of Labor's unemployment and re-employment programs for veterans can be found at www.dol.gov/vets.

View the list of VWIP grants.

View the list of HVRP grants.