Our country honors veterans like you today and what perfect time to let you know that there is free educational training and job search assistance available from your One Stop Career Centers (Go to www.servicelocator.org and tap in your zip code for one near you)—and a complimentary meal awaiting you today, November 11^th, at Applebee’s Restaurant nationwide (see information at the end of this article). You’ve retired from the military having participated in active duty with an honorable discharge or disability discharge and are now seeking employment and/or new formal skills training for employment like everyone else.

Your years of military service and sacrifice away from family—often having placed yourself in harm’s way—is noted and respected. Now it is YOUR turn to be served for assistance with obtaining civilian employment. Career counselors and veteran’s representatives wait to serve you at the One Stop.

The good news is: You can see a career counselor immediately for desired free skills training enrollment, once you’ve registered in WIA (Workforce Investment Act Program) at your local One Stop Career Center.

(The center must be in your residency jurisdiction for sponsored funded training under WIA, and you must be registered in WIA at the center for training and employment assistance.) Your One Stop will also provide job search and referral information for other services by in house NYS veteran’s representatives. You may or may not be required to register for WIA to see a NYS veteran’s rep for job search only, depending on the policy of the local One Stop.)

In any event, veterans do not have to wait their turn after everyone else to be seen, no matter how busy a center is that day. All reemployment services offered to the public, including free training for new or upgraded occupational skills, are available to you without delay. Announce your status upon registering in a Workforce Investment Program (WIA). Bring your DD-214 with you. You will have top priority as long as funding streams permit to vocational-technical training and/or professional certificate tuition-free training. If funds are temporarily depleted, your registration and request for training will be noted and you will receive priority of service as soon as new funding arrives and training enrollments resume.

Your spouse is also eligible for this priority of service if he/she is seeking employment and training. Spouses of veterans who served in active duty, or were disabled, or were deceased, also qualify under the heading of an eligible spouse of veteran.

Whether you are “white-collar” professional, tradesperson, green career aspirant or are affiliated with any other occupational category, the One Stop Centers have veteran’s representatives, themselves former veterans now public servants, waiting to provide you with information and expedite your service at the center. Vet reps can show you job search resources, disseminate valuable resources and help you find job leads and transition back from military duty to private citizen.

There are many benefits out there for veterans on every level, federal, state and local.

Veterans reps will provide information as well on other services that you may not have realized are available to you as a veteran. Veteran’s reps will lead you to other agencies for healthcare, housing and various sources of vocational rehabilitation funding, other than WIA funding, if you qualify with a disability. Don’t forget veterans education benefits under the G.I. Bill and PELL grants for the economically disadvantaged. Investigate which benefits and/or funding sources for schooling suit your circumstances best.

Please see www.veterans.ny.gov for the NYS Division of Veterans Affairs or call 1-888-VETS-NYS or talk to your local vet rep at the career center to see what other benefits you can enjoy and click onto http://www.labor.ny.gov/VETs/VETINTROPAGE.shtm or call 1-888-4-NYSDOL for info on job training and placement assistance. The NYS Labor Department site has many links to veteran information: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/VETs/EmploySpec/VeteransEmploySpec.shtm

Vocational rehabilitation funds are available for veterans with a disability and also through VESID (Vocational Education for Individuals with Disabilities) for possible job training, as well. Address your questions to your local One Stop Career Center Veteran’s Rep. The one stop concept was created for your convenience so you could avail yourself of information and services “under one roof.”

For job leads and job search preparation, advice and other job-related information, see www.gijobs.com. Here you will find career advice, job leads and a host of ‘vet-friendly’ companies that want to especially hire veterans. You can target them “cold” with an introductory cover letter and resume or search their websites for current openings and recruitment interviews with a featured company such as Exxon, and a host of other surprises and goodies. GI Jobs Magazine is also worth taking a look at.

Other military job lead sites, including http://helmetstohardhats.org, www.military.com with a page there, entitled, “Veterans Career Network” and other useful information and

http://www.jobcentral.com/vetcentral/ provides necessary career resources, leads and relocation information and transitioning into civilian life.

Please pass on this information. Pay it forward to someone you know, a veteran or veteran’s spouse who might need or want assistance and show your appreciation for someone who put his/her life on the line for you—regardless of whether you agree with the nation’s politics, or not.

On a lighter note, and in celebration of Veterans Day, Applebee’s Restaurant is offering a free meal to veterans on November 11th. See the link below.

http://www.military.com/military-report/eat-free-at-applebees?ESRC=miltrep.nl

http://www.applebees.com/vetsday/

Bring proof of veteran status—DD214 or other document, service photo, etc. See link for more info.

Happy Veterans Day, dear veteran. Thanks for everything. May this be the start of something wonderful for you! Welcome home. See you at the One Stop!