As we turn the page from our comprehensive “2023 Recap,” it’s time to start looking ahead to the evolving landscape of veteran employment in 2024. Reflection on the past year’s achievements and challenges provides us with a foundation to predict and prepare for the future.

2024 Legislative Impacts on Veteran Employment

In 2024, the veteran services landscape is marked by legislative changes and a significant budget increase. The Department of Labor’s (DOL) allocation of $348 million, a $12 million rise from the previous year, signals a strong commitment to veteran employment [1]. Focus areas include:

1. Simplifying Occupational Licensing: Streamlining licensing processes to ease veterans’ transition into civilian jobs, with growth in apprenticeships and skills training programs.
2. Enhancing Suicide Prevention Efforts: States are set to improve mental health services, focusing on suicide prevention through better treatment and access to services.
3. Boosting Support for Military Installations: Increased state funding is anticipated for infrastructure near military bases, enhancing their economic and community impact.
4. Expanding National Guard Benefits: States aim to continue improving benefits like tuition assistance for National Guard members.

The National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI) works to align its resources and training programs with these trends, ensuring veterans and their families are well-prepared for successful integration into the civilian workforce in 2024 and beyond. Regarding the listed focus areas, NVTI offers:

• 9633: Serving Veterans Enrolled in the Chapter 31 Program – Along with describing how DOL and the VA support Chapter 31 veterans, this course presents the basics of what Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are and their benefits. You can also listen to the related podcast – Episode 20 – Promoting Registered Apprenticeship to Attract Veteran Talent.
• 9612: Preventing and Healing Burnout in Veteran Service Providers – This course defines and provide strategies for addressing burnout in veteran service providers (AJC staff, HVRP staff, clinicians, etc.). You can also listen to the related podcast – Episode 15 – Addressing Burnout and Secondary Trauma for Veteran Service Providers.
• Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, and Burnout Resources. You can also watch the related webinar recording – Veteran Suicide Prevention: VA S.A.V.E.
• 9630: Veterans Benefits Online – This course covers the basics of veteran benefits in live online and self-paced learning modalities.
• And other classes and journey maps that are meant to outline a clearer pathway for veteran service providers.

Characteristics of Leading Veteran Employers

The veteran unemployment rate drop to 2.9% in November 2023 reflects both a recovering economy and the success of veteran employment programs [2]. In 2024, a key trait of successful veteran employers will be focused strategies, especially in recruitment. According to Jacey Eckhart’s Military.com article, the best employers for veterans have dedicated recruiters for veterans and their spouses and proactive recruitment and retention [3]. Veteran recruiters are essential to help veterans and spouses transition to civilian jobs, especially for those without professional networks. Effective veteran employers stand out with proactive practices like SkillBridge internships and registered apprenticeship programs.

For recommendations and resources to best serve employers, consider taking NVTI’s 9637: Removing the Employability Gap for Veterans with Significant Barriers to Employment, 9609: Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER) Core Competency Development, and 9649: Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER) Skills Refresher and Cross-Training classes. NVTI also offers the podcast, Episode 19 – Why Hire Veterans? Conversations with HIRE Vets Medallion Award Recipients and additional resources at Resources to Serve Employers to help prepare veteran service providers to work with employers. 

NVTI’s Commitment and Call to Action for Enhanced Veteran Services in 2024

As we step into 2024, NVTI continues to dedicate our efforts to empower veteran service providers. Our strategies resonate not just with the DOL objectives, but also with the objectives of the Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Years 2022-28 Strategic Plan [4]. In alignment with the VA’s strategic emphasis on tailored, inclusive services, our focus is on equipping service providers with essential skills and knowledge to effectively support underserved and at-risk veterans. Our training resources, such as the 9610: Career Coaching for Special Populations Course series, are specifically designed to enable providers to navigate the unique challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian life. Later this year, we will pilot the 9612 and 9618 courses, both of which are aimed at providing veteran service providers with the resources and strategies they need to effectively assist the veterans they work with.

In 2024, NVTI’s resources and training offerings will include webinars and microlearning modules on crucial topics like audit preparation and grant management, focused on keeping service providers informed and adaptable [5]. Additionally, our podcast series will continue to tackle issues relevant to women veterans, justice-involved veterans, and gender-based violence, enhancing service providers’ ability to support these specific veteran communities effectively [6]. Our article series this year will include topics like “Veterans in the Virtual Workspace” and “Combating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in Veterans,” geared towards discussing innovative care approaches in 2024.

Conclusion

In the new year, NVTI remains dedicated to adapting to new trends for the successful employment of our veterans. We encourage our readers – whether service providers, stakeholders, employers, or veterans themselves – to engage with our resources and stay informed. Together, we can ensure a brighter, more inclusive future for our veterans.