Veteran Services
SC Works representatives are available in centers throughout the state to help veterans transition into the workforce. Veterans receive priority service in all SC Works centers.
Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER) staff and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists are trained to provide intensive, priority employment services to all veterans, including group and individual career coaching, job referrals, résumé preparation help, career fairs and job search workshops, job training programs, and referrals to training services. Visit the Veterans Portal at : https://veterans.scworks.org/vosnet/Default.aspx
- Operation Palmetto Employment
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DEW is a proud supporter of Operation Palmetto Employment (OPE). Launched by Gov. Nikki Haley as a statewide military employment initiative, OPE partners with various state agencies, educators, workforce development representatives and others to streamline and increase the efficiency of the employment process for South Carolina’s military community and reduce duplicated efforts of service providers. DEW partners with the South Carolina National Guard to provide comprehensive statewide veterans’ job placement services through OPE. Visit Operation Palmetto Employment to locate a veteran’s representative near you.
- Transition Assistance Program
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One of the most comprehensive sources of job-hunting information for veterans is the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Workshop, a three-day series of workshops sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Montgomery GI Bill Benefits
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The Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty) provides education benefits for individuals who entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985. Some individuals who had remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era GI Bill are also eligible.
The Montgomery GI Bill provides the following educational opportunities:
- College/university courses leading to associate, bachelor or graduate degrees and accredited independent study. Cooperative training programs are available to individuals not on active duty.
- Courses leading to a certificate or diploma from business, technical or vocational schools.
- Apprenticeship or on-the-job training programs for individuals not on active duty.
- Correspondence courses, under certain conditions.
- Flight training. Before beginning training, the veteran must have a private pilot license and meet a commercial license’s physical requirements. Benefits also may be received for solo flying hours up to the FAA-required minimum for the rating or certification being pursued.
- Tutorial assistance benefits if the individual is enrolled in school half-time or more.
- Remedial, deficiency and refresher training also may be available.
Visit VA GI Bill Program for more information and to apply online.
- The VOW Act
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The Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 provides transitional assistance for service members, education and training opportunities for veterans, and tax credits for employers who hire veterans disabled due to service. For more information on the VOW Act visit their website.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Veterans and service members who meet the following qualifications are eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services:- Suffered a service-connected disability on active service after Sept. 15, 1940 and are receiving at least 20 percent compensation or would except for receipt of military retirement pay. Veterans with a 10 percent disability and serious employment handicap may also be eligible.
- Discharged or released under anything other than dishonorable conditions or hospitalized awaiting separation for a service-connected disability.
- In need of vocational rehab to overcome an employment handicap.
Evaluation establishes eligibility. A disabled veteran may receive employment assistance, self-employment assistance, training in a rehabilitation facility, college and other training. Severely disabled veterans may receive assistance helping them better live independently.
Chapter 31 Services
Under the VOW Act, veterans who have completed a vocational rehabilitation and employment program and exhausted rights to regular compensation are eligible to participate in an additional 12-month VA-sponsored rehabilitation program. This includes regular state unemployment compensation (UC), UC for ex-service members and UC for federal employees. The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for taking applications for additional Chapter 31 services, and applications must be received before March 31, 2014.In order to be eligible for additional Chapter 31 services, a veteran must meet the following requirements:
- Previously completed a vocational rehabilitation and employment program.
- Exhausted all rights to regular compensation with respect to a benefit year.
- Have no rights to regular compensation with respect to a week.
- Not be receiving compensation with respect to such week under the UC law of Canada.
- Begin the additional program within six months of the date of regular compensation exhaustion.
Visit Veterans Business Administration for more information on Chapter 31 and how to apply online.
- Apprenticeship and On-The-Job Training
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The Veterans Education and Training department of the S.C. Commission on Higher Education Student Services Division approves programs where veterans and those eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits can receive training. If you are eligible for GI Bill benefits and have been recently hired or promoted into a job that requires new skills, you may be able to use your GI Bill benefits for on-the-job training (OJT) or an apprenticeship.
NOTE: You must already be employed in order to use your GI Bill benefits for OJT or apprenticeship training programs. The program is specifically for usage of GI Bill benefits. The Commission on Higher Education does not have an apprenticeship training program and does not place veterans in jobs or apprenticeships.
- Veteran Resources
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Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) serves America's veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful careers, providing employment resources and expertise and protecting their employment rights. Visit the DOL website for additional information.Department of Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs administers benefits for veterans, their dependents and survivors. It provides inpatient and outpatient medical care and burial in national cemeteries. Regional offices administer disability compensation, pension, home loan guarantees, vocational rehabilitation, educational benefits, life insurance and burial benefits. For more information, contact the regional office near you.Additional Resources
Please find additional veterans resources below: - SkillBridge
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What is SkillBridge?
The DOD SkillBridge program is an opportunity for service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. DOD SkillBridge connects transitioning service members with industry partners in real-world job experiences.
For service members, DOD SkillBridge provides an invaluable chance to work and learn in civilian career areas. For industry partners, DOD SkillBridge is an opportunity to access and leverage the world's most highly trained and motivated workforce at no cost. Service members participating in DOD SkillBridge programs continue receiving their military compensation and benefits, while industry partners provide the civilian training and work experience.
Installation and unit commanders who have members about to transition from active duty, bridge the gap between their service members' end of service and the beginning of their civilian careers with the DOD SkillBridge participation. Commanders ease this military-to-civilian transition period for their members when they permit SkillBridge participation with trusted employers.
Service members can be granted up to 180 days of permissive duty to focus solely on training full-time with approved industry partners after their chain of command, field grade commander, provides written authorization and approval. These industry partners offer real-world training and in-demand work experience while having the opportunity to evaluate the service member's suitability for future employment.
DEW is a proud SkillBridge site. Learn more at: https://skillbridge.osd.mil/locations.htm (in the Keywords search bar, type: Department of Employment and Workforce)