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Archived: Increase Employment Rate for Veterans

Supplemental Information
Why is this a priority?

We honor military veterans' service and commitment by supporting their transition to civilian careers. And we support veterans' employment as part of our efforts to rebuild a robust economy and return to full employment.

How are we doing?

Yellow: The 2015 state employment rate for veterans was 72.2 percent. Work still needs to be done to address challenges with veterans translating their military experience and skills to careers in the the civilian workforce.

Analysis (Root Causes)

Hundreds of military personnel separate from the service each month, and select Washington state as their home after serving our country with distinction. Veterans may have difficulty translating the experience and skills they gained during their service to careers in the civilian workforce; and, in a recovering economy, they are competing with a greater number of jobseekers. Some veterans need help in seeking work or in explaining to employers how their skills are useful in the civilian economy. 

What are we working on?
  • Maintain partnerships among the state Employment Security, Veterans Affairs and Military departments and federal departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
  • Through WorkSource, connect more veterans to workplace experience, internships and workplace skills.
  • Through WorkSource services, support and facilitate employers that want to give preference to military veterans in hiring decisions.
  • Work with partner agencies to fulfill the Governor's Executive Order 13-01 - Veterans Transition Support - to help veterans and their families effectively navigate this transition and increase our collective efforts to help them obtain living-wage jobs by serving as a model employer.
  • Expand some programs on Joint Base Lewis-McChord as well as open programs up to service members at bases across the state.
  • Link to the Governor's Executive Order: http://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/exe_order/eo_13-01.pdf
How can you help?

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