Veterans Workforce Investment Program Now Accepting Applicants

Mayor Kathy Taylor is partnering with the U.S. Department of Labor, East Central University and Workforce Oklahoma to offer a Veterans Workforce Investment Program, adding this essential program to a slate of services sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Veteran Affairs.

Workforce Oklahoma is now accepting applicants for the program, which will be launched in October. To apply, veterans should call one of the following Workforce Tulsa veterans' representatives for eligibility criteria and more information about the program:

Sandy Oxford (918) 596-2198; Preston Bargas (918) 596-2174; Joseph Estrella (918) 384-2366; Chris Jones (918) 384-2363.

"This is one of the many programs my office has worked to accomplish for the men and women who serve this country," Taylor said. "Transition from service to civilian life can be difficult. My office is working with various partners to ensure service members have knowledge and access to the available services, and create new services that fill voids and help them make that transition. This is one way we can thank and honor those who are returning from the Middle East, as well as to provide assistance to veterans of all foreign wars who have a need."

The program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by East Central University. The program is geared toward veterans who may have disabilities or employment barriers. It pays veterans stipends to attend up to eight weeks of classes and workshops that cover employment readiness issues, career exploration, goal setting, resumes, interviewing techniques, academic remediation, computer skills and networking opportunities.

The program has a holistic approach, designed to provide a support system to meet a variety of veteran needs. Veterans eligible for employment and/or training will meet 30 hours a week - six hours a day on weekdays - for four weeks during the first month, followed by four to six weeks of on-the-job training (OJT) or work experience. During the VWIP, local veteran employment representatives also work with veterans to help them identify and obtain long-term employment opportunities.

Tulsa is currently home to more than 36,000 veterans and as a state Oklahoma ranks third in the nation for National Guard and Reserve deployments with 3,326 currently overseas. When these service members return from deployment, they may face employment barriers as they begin their transition into civilian jobs. However, this new collaboration between the Mayor's Office and Workforce Oklahoma seeks to alleviate barriers for veterans by creating pathways to job training.
The program offers benefits for employers as well. During the OJT component of the program, employers have an opportunity to add personnel to their staff at no cost to them, and evaluate potential employees for permanent employment. Employers who hire their veteran trainees at the end of the OJT could also receive tax credits.