HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) recently allocated a $400,000 grant to Delaware County under the Veterans Employment Program (VEP). This initiative is aimed at connecting veterans with essential job opportunities and employment support, thereby facilitating their successful integration into the civilian workforce.
The grant will be administered by the Delaware County Workforce Development Board in collaboration with the Delaware County Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. The primary focus will be on supporting the county’s most vulnerable veterans, including those entangled with the justice system or living in poverty due to disabilities. This targeted approach aims to provide these veterans with the necessary career services to overcome employment barriers.
L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We are excited to support the Delaware County Workforce Development Board in their efforts to empower our veterans. Their proposal shows a deep understanding of the challenges veterans face in employment and presents innovative solutions to provide essential services to help them adapt in the workforce and become successful.”
The VEP initiative not only targets veterans but also extends its reach to include members of all Reserves units, the Pennsylvania National Guard, and spouses of veterans and service members. It aims to aid these individuals in translating military-acquired skills into the civilian job market. Pennsylvania, home to over 650,000 veterans, is committed to enhancing employment outcomes for this vital segment of its population.
Brig. Gen. John Pippy, acting adjutant general and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, expressed gratitude for the initiative’s outreach. “We are grateful to the Shapiro Administration for reaching out into our communities to assist veterans who are having difficulties finding employment, especially those in need,” he remarked. “We are looking forward to the good work that will be done in Delaware County and to seeing more Pennsylvania veterans make a positive contribution in the workforce and their communities.”
The allocated funds are part of a broader effort by the Shapiro Administration, which, in October 2023, announced nearly $800,000 in additional funding for VEP projects across the state. The performance period for the Delaware County grant is set from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2026, reflecting a sustained effort to drive positive employment outcomes for veterans in the region. This initiative underscores Pennsylvania’s dedication to not only recognizing the service of its veterans but also ensuring their continued success and integration into civilian life.
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