Swords to Plowshares

2/12/2008 - Continuing his commitment to California’s brave servicemen and women, Governor Schwarzenegger today announced more than $6 million in grants to help military veterans as they return to the civilian workforce. The Governor made the announcement in Los Angeles at Managed
Career Solutions, Inc. which will receive $500,000 in grant funds to assist 300 county residents obtain and retain well-paid jobs in high-growth industries. The $6 million in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds will help more than 1,500 newly discharged veterans find jobs. Additionally, the 12
agencies and organizations across California receiving the grants have committed matching funds of almost $4 million to further expand their job training programs, for a total investment of nearly $10 million.

These funds will help our veterans get jobs in high-growth industries and ease their transition back to civilian life. A recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs study found that 18 percent of the veterans who sought jobs within one to three years of discharge were unemployed, while one out of four who did find jobs earned less than $21,840 a year. The Governor believes this is unacceptable and that our veterans deserve better. So, California is taking action.

- The $6 million in grants will focus on identifying military transferable skills and determining career paths to industries that offer livable wages, benefits and career advancement opportunities.

- Veterans can expect to receive a variety of training in high-growth fields such as health care, emergency medical technology, construction, security, law enforcement and computer services.

- The grants will also be used to target those veterans with service-connected disabilities or other significant barriers to employment.

- The projects funded will also provide supportive services, placement, and follow-up through a case management approach and these programs are expected to run through December 2009.

The 12 agencies and organizations across California receiving these grants include:

Able-Disabled Advocacy, Inc. (San Diego): $500,000
Fresno County Fresno $500,000
Imperial Valley Regional Occupation (Imperial): $500,000
Lutheran Social Services (Los Angeles): $500,000
Managed Career Solutions, Inc. (Los Angeles): $500,000
Northern Santa Clara Valley Job Training Consortium (Santa Clara): $500,000
Orange County (Orange County): $500,000
San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council Training (San Diego): $500,000
SELACO Workforce Investment Board (Los Angeles): $500,000
State Center Community College District (Fresno): $500,000
Swords to Plowshares (San Francisco): $500,000
Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (San Diego): $500,000

See full article and video:
Governor Announces $6 Million in Grants to Help California’s Veterans Find New Jobs