Opportunities for Delaware veterans are on the rise, thanks to a collaborative effort of legislative and armed forces agencies bent on increasing visibility and leveraging resources to match veterans to jobs.
There were 4,423 registered veterans seeking employment through Delaware’s employment system during an 18-month time frame, according to a June report released by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Of them, 1,930 found jobs. The next report will be released in November.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Delaware is home to more than 78,000 veterans ““ 42,000 of those under the age of 65. Nearly 11,000 of those soldiers are receiving disability compensation. As for jobs? Officials say they’re doing everything they can to network on their behalf.
“Opportunities are increasing from the standpoint that we’re getting the word out to employees more,” according to Rich Davis, DOL Veterans Employment and Training Services Director. “We understand how to recruit veterans, and we’re showing veterans what they need to do get their resumes ready and apply for jobs.”
Unemployment rates for Delaware veterans are still hovering roughly a point higher that the civilian average of around 6 percent, according to Christine Kubik, an employer support specialist assigned to the Delaware National Guard.
“Right now it’s about retaining employment,” said Kubik, who added that much of her focus on 18 to
25-year-olds hoping to successfully match a successful military career with
a mutually supportive civilian job.
According to Kubik, Delaware is a standout in terms of support, eager to engage veterans representing all branches on their workforce. The State of Delaware is equally supportive. Kubik is a board member of the Delaware Workforce Investment Board where helping veterans gain and maintain employment continues to take top priority.
“Delaware’s size is definitely to our benefit,” said Davis. And with all of the resources housed in easier-to-find places ““ both regionally and on the web ““ Delaware veterans are getting the answers they need related to employment options, continuing education, healthcare, benefits, and more, he said.
One major resource continues to be Delaware Joining Forces, a “who’s who” of catalogued resources for local veterans. The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs also offers resource heads in each county who direct calls and questions related to jobs.
“We are light years away from where we were in terms of outreach, communication, dialogue, and outsourcing,” said Rich. “We’re doing so much more than we’ve ever done in the past.”
Initiatives like Delaware’s own Veteran’s Opportunity Tax Credit, which offers Delaware employers up to $1,500 a year ““ for three years ““ for each veteran hired. Signed into law in 2012, the credit applies to veterans who have received an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, or a Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. They must also be hired by January 1, 2016.
In addition, nearly 1,200 veterans have earned Delaware jobs as part of the 100,000 Jobs Mission. Launched in 2011, the 100,000 Jobs Mission brings together companies committed to hiring U.S. military veterans and military spouses. The 165 companies now involved have pledged to hire 200,000 veterans by 2020.
To date, a total of 161,752 U.S. military veterans were hired through the second quarter of 2014. In addition, the coalition has grown from 11 founding members to 165 companies that represent almost every industry in the American economy. JPMorgan Chase has hired 358 veterans in Delaware since 2011.
Local and national industries focused on veterans in their workplace is a larger expression of something realized in neighborhoods and communities across the U.S., explained Rich.
“When we started activating guards and reservists, we realized it’s in our back yard,” he said. “It’s our friends, our neighbors and our co-workers. That guy you play with on the basketball court, the kid carrying your groceries to your car. Those are the people serving.”
Delaware National Guard Adjutant General Frank Vavala agrees. Working closely with his own team dedicated to finding employment for returning veterans, Vavala said that Delaware businesses don’t really have to be convinced about the value of a veteran on their workforce.
“There are many times that while there out there (overseas), their job is eliminated or their business goes under,” he said. “So one of the big thrusts is placement, doing a lot of outreach and networking with businesses in state of Delaware to promote employers to hire veterans. The skills they acquire in military is tremendous — leadership skills, dedication, responsibility for million dollars worth of equipment.”
While some reservists and guards may not be looking for work, they require support in negotiating parameters related duties that call them away. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed service members and their civilian employers.
That law ensures that persons who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, Reserves, National Guard or other uniformed services are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service, are promptly reemployed in those jobs upon their return from duty, and are not discriminated against in employment based on past, present, or future military service.
But Kubik is quick to point out that Delaware’s work industry is responsive, and while the USERRA initiative is in place, it rarely needs to be enforced here.
Visibility is key, according to Vavala, who said that Delaware continues to show its commitment to the veterans who have served on their behalf by hiring them when they return home.
“We just want to make sure that everyone knows what is available to them,” said Rich. “Everyone has a little part to play,” said Rich. n
To access online resources, visit: Delaware Joining Forces:
www.delaware.gov/vsd/ or Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs: veteransaffairs.delaware.gov
