U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Sign Memorandum of Agreement to Enhance Services to Veterans

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement today to further collaboration between the VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment Service (VR&E) and the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS).

VETS and VR&E began joint efforts 25 years ago to serve their mutual participants and signed the first MOA. The agreement formalized both agencies’ commitment to continue their cooperative efforts to help achieve participants’ employment goals. Since then, both agencies have made great strides to create a strong partnership to benefit veterans through efforts such as joint training initiatives; information exchanges; routine and open communication lines; problem solving; and disciplined, proactive oversight. Since the first MOA’s implementation, the number of disabled veterans finding suitable employment has increased steadily.

“The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service’s vision is to enable all veterans to reach their full potential in the workplace,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training Service John Lowry. “The strategic partnership between VETS and the Veteran Readiness and Employment Service is a powerful example of federal agencies working together on behalf of veterans of all eras.”   

“At the Veterans Benefits Administration, strong cross-agency partnerships are core to the accomplishment of our mission of delivering benefits and services to our veteran community,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Dr. Paul Lawrence. The work we’ve accomplished together with the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service’s team is a perfect example of high-performing, integrated partnerships paying off in better opportunities for veterans.”

VETS oversees the Jobs for Veterans State Grant program that assists veterans with significant employment barriers. Each year, the grant supports individualized career and training-related services for more than 40,000 veterans who attain employment, while VETS’ job training, employment accommodations, resume development and job placement assistance helps more than 10,000 veterans find employment.

In 2020, the two agencies are collaborating to increase the number of VR&E participants who enroll in apprenticeships. With an average starting annual salary of $70,000 and a post apprenticeship retention rate over 90 percent, this collaboration will benefit veterans and their employers.

VETS prepares America’s veterans, service members and spouses for meaningful careers, provides them with employment resources and expertise, protects their employment rights and promotes their employment opportunities. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, VETS remains at work serving its Transitioning Service Members, veterans and military spouses, along with state workforce agencies and its other partners.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.