Veterans Spotlight

Creating Jobs for Vets through Apprenticeship

Woman in military fatigues standing in a field

More than a quarter (26%) of U.S. Veterans report having a service-connected disability, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inclusive apprenticeship programs can foster pathways to jobs in high-growth, high-demand (HGHD) industries and prepare Veterans with disabilities to have successful careers. 

Through apprenticeship programs, these former military service members can pursue opportunities that harness their talents and sharpen their skills to enter into fields such as clean energy, information technology (IT), healthcare, and financial services.

hand holding a starEmployers Benefit from Hiring Veterans

Employers and other sponsors of apprenticeships stand to benefit from recruiting and hiring Veterans, including those with disabilities. Members of the armed forces are trained to be successful in high-pressure situations. They perform well under pressure, stay organized, and work well in teams.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has identified key strengths and talents that Veterans can bring to the workplace. Find out more by reading VA’s article, Why Veterans Make Good Employees.

Man in fatigues holding his young daughter

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) emphasizes that Veterans can contribute these key skills and assets to the workplace:

  • Proven leadership skills
  • A mission-focused approach to work
  • Experience working in diverse teams and organizations
  • Adaptability and readiness
  • A strong work ethic
  • Strong performance under pressure
  • Creative problem-solving skills
  • Go-getter mentality
  • Integrity

Federal and State Veteran Support

Almost one-third, or 4.7 million, Veterans have a service-connected disability, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veteran unemployment also reached 11.9% in April 2020, compared to 14.8% for the general population. The Department of Veterans Affairs is assessing the impact of the pandemic on military veterans through a study led by Health Services Research & Development  to help address chronic illness and mental health impacting Veterans. Relative to Veterans, states are attempting to integrate and connect programs and initiatives related to job training, apprenticeships, and preventing employment discrimination.

Provide GI Benefits to Apprentices

Featured Apprentice

Tony GranilloTony Granillo, who identifies as a person with a disability, served in the Army for 14 years until he suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries. Tony applied to and was accepted into the Apprenti program to prepare for his dream job in the tech sector. Through the program, he secured an apprenticeship with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Within a year of starting on-the-job training, Tony completed the apprenticeship and was offered a full-time position as a Solutions Architect. In this role he supports customer engagements, helping customers understand how to navigate “the cloud” and achieve their objectives. Not only that, but he showed incredible talent and skill. Three years later, he is still at the company and credits Apprenti for finding him an amazing job opportunity and giving him the tools he needed to achieve success on the job. Find out more about Tony’s apprenticeship journey.

arrow and percentage symbol pointing upFunding an Apprenticeship Program for Vets

Creating an inclusive apprenticeship program that supports Veterans, including those with disabilities, can offer a low-cost way for employers to build a diverse pipeline of talent who have amassed a skill set during active duty that can greatly enhance their organizations’ bottom line.

Federal, state, and local governments have funding streams set up to support job creation for Veterans, Veterans with disabilities, and people with disabilities more broadly. These funding streams can support the development of apprenticeship programs that offer job training and credentials. Learn more by visiting Apprenticeship.gov.

Employer Resources & Opportunities

Employers who already offer apprenticeships or have an interest in launching new programs can access key resources to enhance inclusion and support career pathways for Veterans with and without disabilities.Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans

“Employers recognize the value Veterans bring to the workplace but often find it challenging to connect with transitioning service members and Veterans seeking employment. Veterans are in high demand so it requires dedicated efforts by employers to find and hire Veterans.”

Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)