labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, or VETS, published final regulations on priority hiring of veterans and eligible spouses. The new rules appeared in the December 19 Federal Register.

 

VETS is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

 

The new regulations apply to “any workforce preparation, development or delivery program or service that is directly funded, in whole or in part, by the [U.S.] Department of Labor” as provided by the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002.

 

This is especially important since most state departments of labor are funded at least in part by the U.S. Department of Labor. 

 

“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.”

 

According to experts at the U.S. Department of Labor, 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 new regulations primarily address programs administered by the Employment and Training Administration or ETA, another division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

 

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

 

The program is designed to provide veterans and their eligible spouses with priority training for high-growth, high wage civilian jobs and easily accessible post-secondary education and training. The goal is to support their career advancement along pathways that benefit veterans, their families, and regional economies.

 

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