Unemployment & COVID-19 ASSISTANCE

For anyone affected by job loss during the Covid19 pandemic there is a one-stop resource here:

State of California Employment Development Dept (EDD) links:

 

Employment Opportunities/services

***California EDD Services for Veterans***

From time to time we get notices from employers or agencies looking to hire new employees, sometimes they specifically target veterans but often they're open job reqs.

Also, don't forget that the County of San Mateo has some very useful links here: https://www.smcgov.org/hsa/employment-services

There is a box to sign up for the Veterans - Employment mailing list on this web page (left hand side).

 

Local Companies With Veteran Networks

We'd really appreciate if let us know by clicking this email link: Veteranservices-SMC@smcgov.org if you hear of other companies (big or small) that are not mentioned here.

There are many small companies that don't have official veteran networks but they are nonetheless very positive about looking for veterans to join their workforce. 

 

For Employers - Why Hire A Veteran?

Here's a great article from Forbes, "This is why you should hire a military veteran". To summarize the main points, veterans excel in the workplace in these respects:

  • Leadership and 'Followership' capabilities
  • Teamwork
  • Ability to perform under pressure
  • Experience working in highly diverse groups
  • Goal focus & orientation
  • Persistence & determination
  • Attention to detail
  • Safety awareness
  • Adaptable, coachable, trainable

IRS Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)  is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain targeted groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment.

The US Dept Of Labor also has some useful resources for employers looking to hire veterans: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets

 

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Career Options for Transition

College

We have a page here: Veterans - Colleges

 

Training/apprenticeships

If you're looking for more hands-on mixed with the theory then a local apprenticeship may be interesting. 

UA Local 467 - has plumber, pipefitter and HAVACR training and they have a small veteran network

Extract from CalVET resource book: "Apprenticeships combine classroom instruction with paid, supervised, on-the-job training by experts in the field. The California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards maintains a database of available apprenticeships by craft and geographic region and ensures that apprenticeships are not exploited. For a list of local or regional apprenticeship opportunities, visit https://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/aigstart.asp

 

Tech training may be an option. Check out the VET TEC program. In San Francisco Galvanize, with coding and data science bootcamps, is one of our only local VET TEC providers. They also have a veteran network. 

 

Job Fairs and Other Resources

(NOTE: we list these as a service but don't specifically endorse any providers)

 

San Mateo Libraries Vet Connect

https://smcl.org/veterans-connect/

Some of our libraries have Vet Connect centers staffed by volunteers. Not just for jobs but definitely worth checking out if you are looking for work.

There is also an online service called VetNOW that you can access through your library login (contact any library to get a membership). 

 

CalVet Resource Book - Employment Links

The California Dept of Veterans Affairs, CalVet, has a resource book with, among many other sections, one devoted to Employment. It's available free online in PDF form, here. It's well worth downloading a copy for yourself.

Some of the highlights include:

CA

  • Veterans' Preference for employment with the State (veteran, widow, widower or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran)
  • Services through the EDD (Employment Development Dept) coordinated at Americas Job Centers of California (AJCC), such as:  employment services, job training, vocational education, supportive services, and participation in community college programs
  • EDD's Disbaled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP)
  • Potentially expedited licensure or fee waivers with the Dept of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
  • CalJOBS - onlne access to California's workforce resources
  • Work for Warriors - a State and Federally funded free job placement program
  • Apprenticeships - see above section
  • EDD can provide assistance for veterans filing for unemployment benefit

Federal

  • Veterans' Preference and special appointing authorites for certain Federal jobs
  • Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act - certain veterans may qualify for equal opportunity and affirmative action related to contracts and sub-contracts over $25k.