The Veterans Employment Program (VEP) recently awarded nearly $740,000 in grants to four organizations statewide to eliminate barriers to employment that veterans face.
To be eligible for a grant award, applicants must create veteran employment opportunities, close funding gaps or supplement existing initiatives, and demonstrate how they would bring together businesses, education, community, workforce, and other partners to achieve employment support.
EDSI was awarded $200,000 for its Veterans Career Boost program. The organization will enroll 40 veterans and provide them with skills assessment, job-readiness training, and career pathway planning.
Veterans Leadership Program was awarded $200,000 for its Veterans Employment Grant program. The project decreases veteran unemployment rates in Beaver, Fayette, and Clearfield counties by connecting veterans to employers, providing financial assistance for employment-related expenses, and providing opportunities for certificates and training in marketable job skills.
NuPaths was awarded $199,979 for its NuPaths to Tech Careers for Veterans program. The organization will train 24 veterans in Beaver, Clearfield, Delaware, Fayette, Lackawanna, and Lycoming counties for entry-level software testing analyst and project analyst jobs.
Delaware County Community College was awarded $137,692.81 for its Opportunities Abound, A Veterans Employment Program. The program will help approximately 30 veterans overcome barriers to employment or enhance employment.