Transcript VBA Leadership Conference St. Louis

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
VetSuccess.gov
Hiring Veterans is Good Business!
Ruth A. Fanning, Director of VR&E Service
2012 National Employment Disability Conference
December 6, 2012
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Overview
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VA/VR&E Mission
Value and Benefits of Hiring Veterans
Veteran Employment Challenges
Employer Challenges Seeking to Hire Veterans
VA Employment Tools, Initiatives, and Incentives
VR&E Employment Outcomes
National Unemployment Data
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VA/VR&E Mission Statement
• VA’s mission
– To fulfill President Lincoln's promise “To care for him
who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow,
and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and
women who are America’s Veterans
• VR&E Mission
– To help Veterans with service-connected disabilities
prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable careers
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Value of Hiring Veterans
Veterans bring a host of skills and experience to any
organization. Other value-added qualities include:
• Respect for procedures
– Vets have gained a unique perspective on the value of
accountability. They understand how policies and procedures
yield stability, safety and productivity
• Technology and globalization
– Vets are aware of international and technical trends pertinent to
business
• Integrity
– Vets know what it means to do "an honest day's work"
• Triumph over adversity
– Vets have the proven ability to overcome challenges and
obstacles through strength and determination
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Value of Hiring Veterans
• Accelerated Learning Curve
– Vets have the ability to quickly learn new skills and possess
transferable skills proven to achieve success
• Leadership
– Vets understand practical ways to manage and achieve goals and
are trained to lead
• Teamwork
– Vets understand how genuine teamwork grows out of responsibility
and how diverse groups work best together
• Diversity and Inclusion in Action
– Vets have worked alongside each other regardless of race,
ethnicity, gender, religion, or mental or physical capabilities
• Efficient performance under pressure
– Vets have the capacity to know how to accomplish tasks on time
and in spite of stress or adversity. They understand the importance
of dedication and perseverance
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Veterans Employment Challenges
• Recognizing their value
• Transferring their skills and experience from
military service to the civilian workforce
• Understanding USERRA and their rights against:
• Discrimination (Not hiring National Guardsmen/Reservists due to
repeat deployments)
• Issues related to reemployment
• Lost seniority and pensions cut
• Lost benefits such as health insurance
• Lack of familiarity with marketing themselves,
conducting job searches, or networking
• Potential stigmas associated with
psychological/mental health issues
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Challenges to Employers Seeking
to Hire Veterans
• Understanding the skills, training and
experience based on Veteran resumes
Translating military skills to fit civilian requirements
• Certifications and Credentialing
• Stigma associated with psychological/mental
health issues (PTSD)
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VA Employment Tools, Initiatives, and
Incentives to Increase Veteran Hiring
Non–Paid Work Experience (Internship)
• Provides eligible Veterans with practical job experiences
• Placement can be at any government agency that will provide the
Veteran with a work experience consistent with their vocational
rehabilitation goals
• There is no cost to the employer; the Veteran receives a subsistence
allowance from the VA
Benefits for Employers
• Minimal paperwork is required by the participating government
agency
• High quality worker at no expense
• Allows agency to assess Veteran’s fit for noncompetitive
appointment into a permanent position
• Readily available to the government agency
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VA Employment Tools, Initiatives, and
Incentives to Increase Veteran Hiring
On-The-Job Training (OJT)
• Provides training for specific positions with the employer
• Veteran is hired at the apprenticeship wage
• Results in permanent full-time employment
Benefits for the Employer
• Hiring qualified Veterans at the training wage
• VA VR&E purchases necessary tools, uniforms and other required
supplies
• VA VR&E evaluates the need for job-site accommodations
• VA provides support during training and placement follow-up phases
• Minimal paperwork
• Tax incentives (Work Opportunity Tax Credit)
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VA Employment Tools, Initiatives, and
Incentives to Increase Veteran Hiring
Special Employer Incentive (SEI)
• To assist Veterans who face obstacles in obtaining employment
• For Veterans who are eligible for services under
Chapter 31
• SEI programs may be authorized for a maximum of 6 months
• Payment to the employer may be monthly or in one lump sum
Benefits for Employers
• Reimbursement of up to 50% of the Veteran’s salary during the SEI
program, via direct reimbursement from VA Chapter 31, to cover:
– Compensation for additional expenses incurred for cost of
instruction
– Compensation for loss of production
– Compensation for additional supply and equipment costs
• Minimal Paperwork
• Employee is trained to employer’s standards
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Employment Tools, Initiatives, and
Incentives to Increase Veteran Hiring
• VR&E Chapter 31 Program
• VetSuccess.gov
• Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire
Heroes Act of 2011
• Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
• Educational and Vocational Counseling Program
(Chapter 36)
• Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)
• VA for Vets – www.vaforVets.va.gov
• EBenefits – www.eBenefits.va.gov
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VetSuccess.gov
Purpose
• Comprehensive employment resource for all Veterans
• Employers can post job openings directly on
VetSuccess.gov
• Currently connects over 183,979 Veterans with over
4,810 registered Employers
• Veterans have access to millions of jobs through
VetSuccess.gov and Job Central Database
• Employers can search existing Veteran resumes for
direct placements by:
- Security Clearance
- Degree
- Skill type
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VetSuccess.gov Data FY 2012
VetSuccess.gov Activity
Fiscal Year 2012
YTD
Cum. to date
since start
Jobs Currently Open
20,879
30,992
New Veterans Registered
79,717
170,617
New Searchable Veterans
Resumes*
12,524
23,594
25000
20000
15000
10000
New Non-Searchable
Veteran Resumes**
393
2,61
2
1,255
5000
4,706
0
171,471
1,857,876
46,967,430
126,608,913
New Employers Registered
Numbers of Unique Viewers
Total Website Hits***
Veteran Resumes Uploaded to VetSuccess.gov
Fiscal Year 2012
23594
22353
20728
11928
11216
13181
(3912)
(3105)
(3009)
(2418)
(2164)
(2568)
(2285)
14223
12459 13710
14836
New Employers Registered on
VetSuccess.gov Fiscal Year 2012
New Employers Registered on
VetSuccess.gov Fiscal Year 2012
(4376)(4706)
(4147)
(3512)
(2720)
5300
4800
4300
3800
3300
2800
2300
1800
1300
800
(3912)
(3105)
(3009)
(2418)
(2164)
(2568)
(2285)
(4376)(4706)
(4147)
(3512)
(2720)
Sep-12
Aug-12
Jul-12
Jun-12
May-12
Apr-12
Mar-12
Feb-12
Jan-12
Dec-11
Nov-11
Sep-12
Aug-12
Jul-12
Jun-12
May-12
Apr-12
Mar-12
Feb-12
Jan-12
Dec-11
Nov-11
Oct-11
Oct-11
5300
4800
4300
3800
3300
2800
2300
1800
1300
800
18802
15870
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VetSuccess.gov
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VA VR&E Collaborations
• Department of Defense (DoD) and Department
of Labor (DOL)
• Business Partnerships with all Sectors
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Employer Case Management Services
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Case Management Services
Weekly Job Bulletin Postings
VetSuccess.gov
• Job/Career Fairs
• Outreach
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Tax Credits for Hiring Veterans
According to RAND 2012 report, the new tax credits added
32,000 disabled Veterans to the employment rolls in 2007
and 2008 and increased their earnings by 40 percent.
Returning Heroes Tax Credit
- New hiring tax credit that will provide an incentive for firms to hire
unemployed veterans
- Short-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first
$6,000 of wages (up to $2,400) for employers who hire Veterans
who have been unemployed at least
4 weeks
- Long-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first
$12,000 of wages (up to $4,800) for employers who hire Veterans
who have been unemployed longer than 6 months
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Tax Credits for Hiring Veterans
Wounded Warrior Tax Credit
- Double the existing tax credit for long-term unemployed
Veterans with service-connected disabilities
- Maintain the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for
Veterans with service-connected disabilities (currently
the maximum is $4,800)
- A new credit of 40 percent of the first $24,000 of wages
(up to $9,600) for firms that hire Veterans with serviceconnected disabilities who have been unemployed
longer than 6 months
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VR&E Employment Outcomes
FY 2012 Career Outcomes by Employer Type
FY 2012
59%
11%
26%
3%
1%
FY 2012 Full Time Outcomes
by Career Type
Professional, Technical &
Managerial
Faith-based & Community Organizations (FBCOs)
Machine Trades
Federal Government
Clerical
5.2%
Self-Employed Veterans
4.7%
5.6%
0.6%
Miscellaneous
0.2%
3.3%
Private Sector
Building Trades
State & Local Government
5.4%
72.5%
0.4%
2.2%
Services
Sales
Benchwork
Agricultural
Processing
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National Unemployment Data
• National Unemployment Data (General)
Overall: 7.9%
• National Unemployment Data for Veterans
– Veterans (all): 6.3%
– Disabled Veterans (Post 9/11): 10%
– Men: 5.9%
• Male Veterans 18-24 Age Group: 23.1%
– Women: 9.5%
• Female Veterans 18-24 Age Group: 40.6%
Source: October 2012, BLS Figures (Non-seasonally adjust)
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Thank you!
• Questions?
– Contact VR&E Services at 202-461-9600
– www.VetSuccess.gov
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