labor lawAdivision of labor law center

 Employers are invited to comment on new regulations by the U. S. Department of Labor regarding the employment of veterans by federal contractors.

 

The federal Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) recently announced the publication of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Priority of Service for veterans and eligible spouses. The proposed regulations apply to “any workforce preparation, development or delivery program or service that is directly funded, in whole or in part, by the Department of Labor,” as provided by the Jobs for Veterans Act which was enacted in 2002.

 

“Priority of service is an important acknowledgment of the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces,” said Charles Ciccolella, assistant secretary of labor for VETS. “The department’s strategic vision for priority of service honors veterans and eligible spouses of veterans as our heroes at home, and envisions that the employment and training programs funded by the department, including the workforce investment system, will identify, inform and deliver comprehensive services to veterans and eligible spouses as part of their strategic workforce development activities across the country.”

 

The Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 followed up on the Jobs for Veterans Act by requiring the department to issue regulations governing the application of priority of service. The majority of the department’s programs are administered by the Employment and Training Administration or ETA. This notice of proposed rulemaking offers citizens and interested organizations an opportunity to submit comments for consideration by the department prior to the publication of final regulations.

 

The new law and its supporting regulations are designed to provide jobs for combat veterans, and veterans who have recently been released from active military service. In addition, the statute encourages any employer receiving Department of Labor funds to hire eligible military spouses. The hope is that such affirmative actions will provide veterans with high-growth, high wage civilian jobs, as well as better access to higher education and training. The goal is to “support [veterans’] advancement along career pathways that benefit veterans, their families, and regional economies.”

 

“Veterans possess unique attributes that enable them to make significant contributions in the workplace,” said Ciccolella. “They are an important source of highly skilled and experienced talent and play a key role in regional workforce development strategies.”

 

The proposed rules appear in the Federal Register and can be accessed online at: http://www.dol.gov/federalregister/HtmlDisplay.aspx?DocId=21182&AgencyId=29. The 60-day public comment period will end on Oct. 14, 2008.

 

 

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