American Job Centers: The Path to Veteran Employment Starts Here Jen Gollnick, an Army National Guard veteran, found herself in a challenging position in early 2023. After being laid off, she faced the decision of finding another job or starting her own company.   Gollnick sought help from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and  they connected her with U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service resources at her local American Job Center. The center offered Gollnick a wealth of information as she conducted her job search. Gollnick appreciated th ..read more

Registered Apprenticeship: Earn While You Learn Transitioning service members often face the challenge of relating their military experience to careers in the private sector. Here's the good news: the earn-while-you-learn model of Registered Apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity for veterans starting their civilian careers. Registered Apprenticeships are industry-driven programs that offer a mutually-beneficial arrangement for both employers and employees. Apprentices gain paid work experience, invaluable education and a nationally recognized credential, while employers develop the s ..read more

DOL Work Study: Changing Pathways, Changing Lives Reginald Laurenceau joined the U.S. Army in 2014 with the intent of making it a career. He was an infantry soldier who served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. Born in Haiti and raised in New England, Laurenceau’s dream of being a long-time soldier ended abruptly in 2016 when he was diagnosed with a disqualifying medical condition. Faced with the uncertainty of a medical discharge, he scrambled to find the next step in his path. Laurenceau enjoys being challenged, so he decided to use his G.I. Bill benefits to attend Rutg ..read more

Finding Service after Service VETS Regional Veterans’ Employment Coordinators in Washington, D.C., January 2023 Pictured from left to right: André Anderson, Atlanta Region RVEC; David Seay, Chicago Region RVEC; Eric Asmussen, Nation Veterans Employment Manager; J. Margarita Devlin, Deputy Assistant Secretary; Tony Forbes, San Francisco RVEC; James D. Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary; Mark J. Toal, Director, Office of Strategic Outreach; Janice Maupin-Anderson, Dallas Region RVEC; Matthew Passmore, Philadelphia Region RVEC; Paul Furbush, Boston Region RVEC It’s 6 a.m. and the sun is rising ..read more

Improving Employment Protections for Military Spouses Megan Immell, with husband Dallas and dog Rowdy. Megan Immell, a military spouse of five years, is beginning to feel the impacts on her career while she supports her husband who serves in the U.S. Army. At an early age, Megan knew she wanted to help underserved communities and saw a way to do just that by pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Education. However, her spouse’s active and unpredictable schedule has disrupted her career, leading to her teaching at three different schools in five years. When military families face an upcoming depl ..read more

How OCIO Supports Veterans November is National Veterans and Military Families Month and a time to recognize the important contributions made by U.S. service members. To help support service members who may be transitioning to civilian life, the U.S. Department of Labor provides a suite of training and career resources for military veterans and spouses. The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) works to ensure a smooth transition for those looking for civilian careers. The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), the department’s IT hub, helps support VETS in these efforts ..read more

Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Builds Path to Civilian Career with Grassroots Networking After more than two decades of honorable service, Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Aubrey Wrenn was ready to retire and pursue a civilian career. He quickly realized that he needed to gain additional experience and build networks for post-military career success. To start his transition on the right path, Wrenn dedicated himself to taking meticulous notes and asking questions during Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshops. Wrenn learned about the Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP), an initiative of the U ..read more

Real People, Real Impact: Harbor Care VETS’ Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program long-standing grantee, Harbor Care, is on a mission to end veteran housing insecurity in New Hampshire. With four dedicated veteran first housing complexes throughout the state, Harbor Care is  New Hampshire’s largest provider of integrated housing and support for veterans experiencing homelessness. We recently spoke with former client, Army veteran Wade Thompson, to see how his life changed through the support he received through Harbor Homes, which is part of Harbor Care.  Can you tell us a little ..read more

Transitioning from Active Duty? Consider Becoming an Apprentice! A pathway to a great career with competitive wages doesn’t always have to include college. Many transitioning service members and veterans are unsure about their next career step. They consider college, but would rather enter the workforce to earn an income. They may want to transition into a career field different from their military occupation, but they don’t have the credentials or experience that employers want.  Apprenticeship may be the answer!  Registered Apprenticeships are an earn-while-you-learn training ..read more

Building Communities of Partnerships in New England Deputy Assistant Secretary Margarita Devlin and the DOL VETS staff smile as they enjoy a tour of the USS Constitution in Boston, Mass. Boston has many famous nicknames: “Beantown,” “City on the Hill,” “Cradle of Liberty,” and its most recent nickname: “Titletown,” given because of the countless championships its regional sports teams won in baseball, basketball, hockey, and of course, football. The “doing whatever it takes to succeed” mindset has spread from Rhode Island to Maine, with most of New England embracing the team mentality of worki ..read more