In accordance with the Jobs for Veterans Act (JFVA), each state receives a grant from U.S. DOL for a Veterans’ Program to provide employment, training and placement services for veterans. This grant enables us to fund the positions of Local Veteran’s Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) in our One Stop Career Centers to provide these services. Due to the limitations of the funding we are unable to provide a DVOP and LVER in every center. However, there is at least one veteran’s representative in each Career Center and 7 of our offices have both positions.

Specifically, these staff members are charged with providing and/or facilitating outreach, intensive and labor exchange services to veterans. Since veterans are given priority of service status under the law, it is particularly important for our LVERs and DVOPs to be connected with all veterans coming into the Career Centers but also for them to have up to date information about all of the programs and services available to assist veterans at the Federal, State and Local level.

Outreach efforts include our involvement with the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) designed to ease the transition of military personnel into civilian life. TAP workshops are facilitated regularly by our staff at Hanscom AFB in Bedford, Fort Devons in Acton and the U.S. Coast Guard Base in Boston.

Providing maximum job and training opportunities for veteran customers is a priority for veteran and non-veteran staff, alike. Workforce development services available through the Massachusetts One Stop Career Center system include (but are not limited to):

• Assessment
• Career information/counseling
• Workshops covering a variety of job search techniques and strategies including effective job search, resume preparation, interviewing techniques, dressing for success, job readiness, and others
• Access to job listings in a variety of media, including the internet
• Job development
• On-site employer recruitment
• Labor market statistics and information
• Industry briefings to learn what skills, occupations and experience are in demand, locally
• Skill training information and referral
• Support service referral
• On-site "Basic Computer Skills" workshops
• Job Fair schedules and information
• Resource Libraries
• On site computers with internet access, fax, copy machines and telephones for self-directed job search and training exploration activities.

Services are available on a self-directed and staff-assisted basis. Veteran customers have unrestricted and priority access to Career Center resource rooms and equipment.

Additionally, veteran customers who have special barriers (disabilities, homelessness, prison records, etc.) or who are transitioning to civilian life and may be in need of support and/or other related services in order to effectively undertake and participate in the full array of job search and/or training services available through the Career Centers, enabling them to maximize their individual job and training opportunities, can access service information through web links or can receive a direct referral to local service providers with whom we maintain ongoing relationships.

For information regarding programs and services available to veterans through the Career Centers, please contact: Richard Sullivan, Statewide Veterans Program Coordinator.