Chester County program receives grant for veteran employment, support

The Chester County Intermediate Unit is among three Pennsylvania workforce development projects to receive grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. The grants, announced this week by Nancy Walker, Labor & Industry secretary, aim to connect veterans with job opportunities and employment support in Pennsylvania counties with high unemployment rates for veterans.

The Veterans Employment Program (VEP) initiative is designed to help veterans, members of all Reserves units and the Pennsylvania National Guard, and spouses of veterans and service members translate their military skills to civilian life.

“This funding is an investment in Pennsylvania’s veteran community and their families, while simultaneously unlocking an untapped labor pool for employers,”  Walker said in a statement.Grants were awarded using Reemployment funds.

The three awarded projects are:

• The Chester County Intermediate Unit was awarded $199,182 for its project — Heroes Rising: Empowering Veterans Through Education and Employment. The initiative is designed to empower military veterans through education and employment opportunities, according to the release. The program will also equip veterans with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful civilian integration, fostering a seamless transition from military service to meaningful careers.

• NuPaths LLC was awarded $199,998 for a statewide project. The organization will collaborate with its partners to expand accessibility to entry-level technology career training and support for Pennsylvania veterans.

• Veterans Leadership Program was awarded $200,000. The program looks to decrease veteran unemployment rates by providing opportunities for certificates and training in marketable job skills, connecting veterans to employers, and providing financial assistance for employment-related expenses in 28 Pennsylvania counties.

“Veterans return to civilian life with unique job skills that easily transfer to meaningful employment in the civilian sector. They and their families sacrifice a great deal serving our country. It is important that Pennsylvania not only welcomes them home but shows our gratitude by providing them important resources to begin their new career,” Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said in a statement.