The Department of Workforce Services announced on Thursday that Arkansas recently received a $1,250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, to provide employment, training and supportive services to veterans around the state.
Arkansas was one of 11 recipients of the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program grant, which totaled $11.53 million. Arkansas’ program, titled the Arkansas Veterans Education and Training Partnership, will assist 450 veterans over a three-year period and train 360 for jobs in heath care and energy efficiency/renewable energy. Each veteran who qualifies for the program can receive up to $1,000 to offset training costs and an additional $500 for supportive services such as child care and transportation.
DWS is the grant recipient and will partner with ARVets, the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges and the Arkansas Apprenticeship Coalition.
“We are excited to partner with these organizations to train veterans for jobs in today’s economy,” said DWS Director Artee Williams. “The DWS veterans representatives at the Arkansas Workforce Centers stand ready to assist veterans who return from deployment and find themselves unemployed. This grant will help us train and assist these men and women who have given their time, effort and heart to serving our country.”
Veterans who meet one of the following criteria may qualify for the program:
- veterans with service-connected disabilities;
- those who have significant barriers to employment such as a lack of education and work experience;
- veterans who served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; and
- veterans who apply within 48 months of discharge from the military.
ARVets is a nonprofit organization that links various veterans organizations together. Because of its partnerships with these organizations, ARVets will provide intake, assessment and case management services for veterans selected for the program. Participants will complete the Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate process, which provides a workplace credential that assures employers that they have workplace skills for 21st century jobs.
