Lehigh Valley receiving investments to help veterans find place in workforce

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To help veterans overcome barriers to employment and find their place in Pennsylvania‘s workforce, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced Tuesday an investment of approximately $592,000 in grants to organizations, including two in Montgomery County, as part of the Veterans Employment Program.

“Our veterans have served our country and commonwealth with distinction, and now it’s our turn to serve them by ensuring they have access to meaningful employment opportunities,” L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker said in a statement. “Through these strategic investments, we’re not just funding programs – we are supporting organizations that have demonstrated their commitment and capability to provide specialized services that our veterans need to thrive in today’s workforce.”

The following funded programs in Montgomery County will provide comprehensive employment services including career coaching, skills training, job placement assistance, and supportive services in the Lehigh Valley:

Business Interface Workforce Services, LLC – $198,829. This program will serve 80 veterans through their Norristown Education and Employment Center, providing individualized care and coordination of workforce development resources.

Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI) – $200,000. The Veterans Mission Forward program will create a partnership between Bucks and Montgomery counties addressing employment barriers through specialized career development programs. In addition, through collaboration with Montgomery County Office of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Court, Montgomery County Community College, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the program will create opportunities for training, job placement and supportive services, leading to employment and career advancement across both counties.

Pennsylvania has more than 700,000 veterans, comprising approximately 5% of the commonwealth’s population. According to a release, the Veterans Employment Program (VEP) initiative is designed to help veterans, members of all Reserves units and the Pennsylvania National Guard, and spouses of veterans and service members translate their military skills to civilian life.

“It is programs like the VEP, that provide veterans with the support they need to begin civilian careers” said Brig. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Veterans make this commonwealth their home because they are afforded opportunities to hone their relatable skills and join the workforce as they transition from military service to civilian life. You don’t have to look far to see the positive impact veterans have in any job market.”