DOL VETS – Newsletter (March 2016)

The month of March is an exciting time for us at the Veterans' Employment & Training Service (VETS). March is a time for honoring and commemorating Women’s History Month and VETS is pleased to highlight the service of women veterans, as part of the national theme “Women of Service.” We began our celebration with a special social media campaign to honor and highlight women who served and it continues until the end of the month. We want to inspire women veterans to share their commitment to service by inviting them to post photos of themselves in uniform or holding objects significant to their military service on Twitter using the hashtag #vetslikeher and if you have not done so already, I encourage everyone to spread the word and participate.		Women’s History Month: Share the Celebration!
	We are also excited to showcase the service of Chief Master Sergeant Janeen Fillari, who was recently selected as the state command chief master sergeant- the highest ranking enlisted position in the New Jersey Air National Guard. Janeen also happens to be a hard working public servant here at the Department of Labor. Read more about her service here.
It is equally exciting to announce the release of the annual report on employment, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each month VETS reviews the monthly data to provide an overview of veteran & nonveteran employment statistics which includes unemployment information by veteran status, gender, and all service periods. Also included are graphs showing unemployment trends over the last 24 months. View the full report.

The trends continue to look good for veterans in today’s labor market and the employment rates reflect the hard work and dedicated service that our employees across the nation continue to demonstrate. I’m proud to be a part of a team that demonstrates everyday its commitment to assist veterans, transitioning service members and military families find meaningful employment.

As we move forward this year we will continue our promise to deliver the best service we can in the most meaningful of ways. We thank you for your continued support of DOL VETS and its mission.

Mike Michaud, Assistant Secretary @MikeHMichaud

Women Veteran Program (WVP) Director Attends The State of Women Veterans Summit

Women Veterans Program Director, Dr. Nancy A. Glowacki participates in a panel on “Boots 2 Business” during The State of Women Veterans Summit March 11, hosted by the Washington DC Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs. The panel highligted education, employment opportunities and programs, entrepreneuership and small busines development for women veterans.

ASVET Michaud Speaks With VFW Fellows on The Hill

ASVET Michaud, Jeff Miller (FL),HVAC Chairman, COL Adam Rocke, (Army Soldier for Life) enjoy pictures from ASVET Michaud’s Golden Knights tandem jump in Miami, FL.

ASVET Michaud along with Student Veterans of America (SVA) President & CEO, Jared Lyon and Student Veterans of America VFW Legislative Fellows

#ByTheNumbers: Veteran Unemployment Drops to 4.1%

In February, the veteran unemployment rate maintained a lower level than the overall unemployment rate. This continues a 24-month trend with a single exception, when veteran unemployment was 0.1% higher than overall unemployment in December 2015.

Vet ‘Lives Out Dream’ Serving Others in New Career

After nine years of military service that included tours in Grenada, Panama and Operation Desert Storm, Edwin found himself in unfamiliar territory – unable to pay rent and in danger of losing their home. Having sole responsibility for his children added more stress to the situation.

“As a combat vet used to leading people, and responsible for millions of dollars of equipment, finding myself [about to be] homeless was devastating,” said the Puerto Rico native. “It was the lowest point in my life. I was lost.” Read more

Valuing women veterans:

Valuing women veterans: The department is committed to expanding opportunities for all veterans, including women who have served our country. To commemorate Women’s History Month, Terry Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training, joined a panel discussion sponsored by the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation. The organization’s 8th annual summit was held on March 15 at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. During the discussion, Gerton noted the positive statistics surrounding the employment of women veterans, highlighted department programs and resources, and offered tips on where to find local in-person resources to help with career networking, interviewing and resume-writing. “Helping women veterans be more successful in the workplace requires helping all women be successful in the workplace,” Gerton said. “That means implementing programs like equal pay, minimum wage increases, family leave and affordable child care.”

Giving veterans a lift:

During a visit to Columbia, S.C., on March 8, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training Mike Michaud toured Fast Forward, a non-profit corporation that helps homeless veterans obtain useful technology and business skills to re-enter the workforce. Fast Forward is a grantee of the department’s Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program, which provides services to assist homeless veterans seeking employment. ASVET Michaud toured the facility with Columbia Mayor Stephen Benjamin and Police Chief Skip Holbrook. After meeting with local veterans and discussing issues surrounding veterans’ employment, bicycles donated by the Columbia Police Department – for transportation to and from work – were presented to two newly hired veterans.

How can you help? If you know a veteran who is seeking employment, point them to an American Job Center (www.servicelocator.org) or share this "How-To" video to help them find their path.

Together, we will continue build employment opportunities for our veterans, and honor their service by allowing them to continue service in the career they choose.

VETS prepares America’s veterans, service members and their spouses, for meaningful careers, provides them with employment resources and expertise, protects their employment rights and promotes their employment opportunities.

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