Philly Leader

Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that $800,000 in funding through the Veterans Employment Program will be distributed to four workforce development projects in an effort to assist veterans in employment aspects, with a focus on counties where the unemployment rate for veterans is high.

The grant money is through the Department of Labor and Industry using Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Industry Partnership and Reemployment funds, a recent press release on the governor's office website said.

"Every one of Pennsylvania's veterans made significant sacrifices in their service to our nation," Wolf said in the release. "Because of that, we owe them every opportunity we can provide to ease their transition to a civilian career. This funding will enable community organizations to assist our veterans in finding meaningful and family-sustaining jobs."

Educational Data Systems Inc. will get $200,000; NuPaths LLC will receive $199,998; the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland Fayette Inc. will receive $193,034.50; and the Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board will get $192,332. The programs received 100% of what was requested. 

Educational Data Systems will use the funding in its Veterans Career Acceleration Program (VCAP), which includes multi-week CAP programs for 30 veterans, with 10 other veterans receiving comprehensive career coaching.

The Private Industry Council's PIC Veterans Employment Program will help 36 veterans in overcoming barriers to employment.

The Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board has the Helping Hand-Assisting Veterans in Lackawanna County program; which provides outreach, case management and employment-acquisition assistance. It will involve one-on-one interaction and assistance in occupational skills training and other training and placement activities.

NuPaths has a program called NuPaths for Veterans. It will train 24 veterans living in the proposed counties for entry-level network technician and IT security analyst jobs. There will be an "accessible distance-learning format" to go along with technical skills training, certifications and assistance with job searches needed to start an apprenticeship or full-time job.

"Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 veterans—the fourth largest veteran population in the nation," Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said in the release. "It is important that we do everything we can to ensure their successful transition from military to civilian life. Workforce development opportunities offered through the Veterans Employment Program aid veterans in finding meaningful employment."

Dept. of Labor and Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier said that while the program's main focus is to help veterans in need of assistance, it will also benefit the employers of the state.

"The Veterans Employment Program will provide employment opportunities for our most honorable citizens and offer more comprehensive services to address barriers to employment and improve their employment outcomes," she said in the release.

The VEP will start April 1 and run through March 31, 2023.