Gillibrand seeks improved employment efforts for veterans
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has proposed legislation that would provide job skills training to all service members before they leave the military.
Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said many returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans aren't aware of the training program because it is offered after veterans separate from the service. And with a disproportionately high level of unemployment for veterans, and more specifically young veterans, the senator said it's an important issue to address.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 13.3 percent of New York's recent Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are unemployed, more than the 7.9 percent state average in June.
For veterans ages 18 to 24, the national jobless rate was 21.9 percent in 2010.
"Too many troops are returning home unable to find a job after tirelessly protecting ours," Gillibrand said Tuesday during a conference call with reporters to promote the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011.
The legislation would make the government's Transition Assistance Program mandatory for exiting servicemen and women.
Currently, up to one-third of service members do not participate in the voluntary program, which provides job-search techniques and resume and interviewing workshops. The program is led by the Labor, Defence and Veterans Affairs departments.
The bill would beef up services by offering personal employment assessments and following up with veterans every three months during their first year out of the military. It would also change federal hiring practices to allow service members to apply for federal jobs before they leave the military.
In addition, agencies would have to identify ways to eliminate barriers in moving from military employment into civilian jobs, such as transitioning from a military medic or ambulance driver job to similar civilian positions. Finally, a competitive grant program for nonprofits would provide mentorship and job training programs to boost job placements with private-sector companies.
Paul Rieckhoff, executive director and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, joined Gillibrand on the conference call to support the bill.
The Iraq war veteran said the youngest returning soldiers may not have had any other jobs outside the military. He noted that the population served by the bill is around 300,000, which he called a very "scalable" number.
"Now is the time to address this to ensure a generation of vets doesn't get left behind," he said. "It's difficult for civilian recruiters to understand the skills (veterans) bring to the table. We've really got to help translate."
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