Navigating the Workforce System with Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

By JASON MATTHEWS

Traditionally, VSOs have been seen as advocates for veteran benefits, healthcare, and social support, but their role has expanded significantly in recent years making them vital players in workforce development. As the job market increasingly shifts towards digital and remote opportunities, VSOs have adapted by integrating technology and offering services such as virtual job training, online job fairs, and digital literacy programs. This adaptability has enabled them to reach veterans in rural or underserved areas, as well as those with employment barriers, ensuring no veteran is left behind.

VSOs are uniquely equipped to tackle the specific challenges veterans face, such as translating military skills into civilian qualifications, addressing mental health barriers, and supporting women veterans along with veterans with disabilities. Their innovative approaches and targeted services demonstrate how VSOs are not just collaborators but leaders in the evolving landscape of veteran workforce development.

Key Points:

The Evolving Role of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) in Workforce Development: VSOs have adapted by offering digital programs, online job fairs, and virtual training, reaching veterans in rural and underserved areas. They address key challenges like translating military skills and supporting those with disabilities, mental health concerns, or caregiving duties.

Key Partnerships Between VSOs and Workforce Programs: Collaborations between VSOs and workforce agencies, such as American Job Centers (AJCs), improve service delivery. National groups like the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) provide job training referrals, while local VSOs address niche needs like transportation or job placement for older veterans, enhancing service reach.

Leveraging VSO Networks: Workforce professionals (e.g., Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) representatives) should engage local VSOs by sharing employment data, co-hosting events, and aligning services. Strong VSO networks broaden support for veterans.

Call to Action: Workforce professionals should build partnerships with VSOs, leveraging their evolving role to create integrated networks that help veterans confidently navigate today’s job market.

Understanding the Role of VSOs in Workforce Development

VSOs work together with American Job Centers (AJCs) to help veterans receive comprehensive support throughout their job-seeking journey. This collaboration involves VSOs advocating for veterans to access a wide array of employment services, including job training, resume building, and interview preparation. By partnering with AJCs, VSOs help bridge the gap between veterans and essential resources, ensuring that veterans not only find employment but are also equipped to thrive in their chosen careers. Through advocacy, VSOs make sure veterans are aware of their entitlements, from educational benefits to specialized training programs, and provide personalized guidance to help them navigate the complexities of transitioning from military to civilian careers. This collective effort creates a more integrated and effective workforce system that meets the unique needs of veterans.

  • Key Role in Bridging Gaps: VSOs are not just partners but vital connectors that bridge gaps between veterans and the resources available through the workforce system. By serving as advocates, they navigate complex processes, ensuring that veterans receive timely and appropriate services. This is especially valuable for veterans who may struggle with accessing or understanding the resources available to them. [1]
  • Community-Based Solutions: The localized nature of many VSOs allows them to create community-specific solutions that address unique challenges. For instance, VSOs can leverage their local networks to set up specialized job fairs, mentorship programs, or training workshops, tailored to the demographic needs of veterans in different regions. [2]
  • Policy Advocacy and Innovation: Many VSOs play an active role in policy advocacy, working on legislation that directly impacts veteran employment. They not only provide services but also help shape policies that improve workforce development programs, making them more accessible and effective. This engagement in policy, combined with collaborative efforts with agencies, ensures that the evolving needs of veterans are met. [3]

Leveraging VSO Networks

Building effective relationships with Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) can significantly enhance the ability of workforce professionals, such as Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) representatives, to serve veterans. By engaging with local VSOs, workforce professionals can tap into established networks, improve outreach, and drive better employment outcomes for veterans. NVTI has produced a podcast about this topic, Episode 12: DVOP/CVSO: Promising Practices to Connect and Serve. Here are actionable tips on how to leverage VSO networks:

  • Build Relationships with VSO Leaders: Attend local VSO events and maintain regular communication to understand their services and challenges, enabling smoother collaboration on joint initiatives like job fairs or training programs.
  • Collaborate with WIOA Partners: Integrate VSOs into broader workforce efforts by connecting them with WIOA partners, creating a cohesive network that addresses multiple needs from employment to health.
  • Co-Host Events with VSOs: Partner with VSOs to host workshops, job fairs, and training sessions, enhancing outreach and credibility by leveraging VSO networks.
  • Share Resources and Data: Jointly develop resources and share data on employment trends to provide veterans with accurate, up-to-date job information.
  • Engage VSOs in Workforce Planning: Involve VSOs in regional planning to identify service gaps and create targeted initiatives that align with veterans’ needs.
  • Partner for Wraparound Services: Collaborate to offer holistic support beyond job placement, such as housing assistance and mental health services, ensuring veterans have a solid foundation as they seek employment.

Impact on Employment Outcomes

VSOs play a crucial role in outreach by effectively connecting veterans to essential services through consistent, community-based engagement. Reports indicate that partnerships between organizations like the VFW and VA programs, such as Solid Start, enhance veterans’ awareness of available resources, including job training and benefits. This strategic collaboration demonstrates that leveraging VSO networks can improve outreach and engagement, offering a valuable model for future employment efforts by bridging the gap between veterans and job opportunities​. [4]

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) collaborates closely with VSOs through dedicated liaisons, effectively increasing outreach by disseminating information about VA programs. This coordinated approach, rooted in proactive and community-based engagement, has proven successful in reaching veterans who might not otherwise engage with government services. Leveraging the credibility and consistent presence of VSOs, workforce programs can similarly enhance outreach, bridging the gap between veterans and employment opportunities by tapping into established networks and ensuring broader engagement, especially for those facing significant barriers.

VSOs act as advocates, connectors, and essential partners, enhancing the workforce system’s ability to serve veterans. Workforce professionals are encouraged to build stronger partnerships with local VSOs, fostering networks that empower veterans to overcome barriers and find success in civilian careers. Through ongoing collaboration, we can help veterans achieve stability and purpose in their post-service lives.

[1] Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) Frequently Asked Questions: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46412

[2] Engaging-VSO-playbook-Final-508: https://www.innovation.va.gov/ecosystem/assets/documents/Engaging-VSO-playbook-Final-508.pdf

[3] Working-with-Veterans-Organizations: https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/for_researchers/serve/Working-with-Veterans-Organizations.pdf

[4] GAO Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee: https://www.veterans.senate.gov/services/files/670F88C2-20EB-46A0-9C2F-39EC0AF87C73

Use of the links on this page to find training information, resources, and a multitude of other information to assist you with your important mission. This project is funded by Department of Labor Veterans' Employment & Training Service (DOL-VETS) contract number DOL-OPS-16-D-0022. It does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner. Contact Management Concepts at [email protected] for information on re-use permission.