HR Articles

Veteran Jobs Created by Energy Efficiency Funding

A new round of funding will be used to create veteran jobs and increase energy efficiency in California.

The San Mateo County Human Services Agency recently received a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to increase a program that will prepare local unemployed veterans for clean-energy jobs.

San Mateo County will use the funding for the Home Energy Retrofit Occupations project. Through that project, the county will partner with local colleges and other organizations to teach about 480 people how to equip houses with energy-efficient features.

"Not only are we training them in a green job area, but we're also making steps and moving forward to reduce our oil consumption," Rep. Jackie Speier told San Jose Mercury News. "The retrofitting that's going to be taking place can save the individual homeowners anywhere from 20 to 30 percent on their energy bills, and that translates in a yearly cost savings of between $440 and $600."

San Mateo County plans to partner with:

• San Mateo Community College District
• Ohlone College
• San Mateo County Workforce Investment Board
• Alameda County Workforce Investment Board
• Recurve
• Energy Beyond Design
• California Building Performance Contractors Association
• Efficiency First
• Strategic Energy Innovations
• Home Performance Resource Center
• Swords to Plowshares
• Community Action Agency of San Mateo County

"This funding is great news for San Mateo County because trained job seekers will be matched with employers," Rep. Anna Eshoo said. "By helping workers enter the fast-growing, critically important energy sector, the (retrofit-training) project will help create lasting employment and reduce our energy footprint."

Las Vegas Job Openings for Veterans

A new program will help provide jobs for veterans and fill Las Vegas job openings.

The Transition Assistance Program is planning to offer a three-day class at Nellis Air Force Base to help veterans find jobs. The course will give military members leads on job searches, resume training and counseling, and teach them how to look for new careers.

Currently, more military members are looking to transition from the military into civilian jobs amidst a tough employment market, which has kept many people unemployed. The labor market is so tough that officials at Nellis are asking members to begin searching for jobs 12 to 24 months before leaving the military.

Rex Miller, who is in charge of TAP, told KLAS that veterans often miss out on job opportunities because they don't know how to market their military experience to civilian employers.

"They have a lot to offer an employer," he said. "Their job search, with what they bring to the table for an employer, should help them do as well, or better than the folks they're competing with for a job."

TAP was developed by the Department of Defense to assist in the transitioning of military personnel and family members leaving the service. The program's services are provided on major military installations by Transition Assistance Offices.

Services at Army installations are provided by ACAP Centers, services at Navy and Marine Corps installations are provided by the Family Support Service Center, services at Air Force installations are provided by the Airmen and Family Readiness Flight centers, and Coast Guard services are provided by Work-Life offices.

Veterans also can get help through TurboTAP.org, a Web site meant to supplement the services offered by TAP and other groups. The site is additionally supported by the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs.