After leaving the military, service members need to transition back to civilian life. An important part of this transition is finding another source of employment to maintain a steady flow of income. Government agencies offer several programs to help former service members adapt to normal life and find new jobs. One can compare the available career resources for veterans and approach the agencies for any assistance required during the transition phase.
1. Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
This is one of the most popular military-to-civilian career transition programs. It has been created through the joint effort of multiple government organizations, including the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Labor, and the Departments of Education, Defense, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and Small Business Administration. TAP offers useful resources for veteran career coaching.
- eLearning
TAP organizes in-person classes to prepare military members to transition to civilian life. Members who cannot attend the in-person course due to military necessity can avail of the eLearning facility, provided they get approval from the TAP manager (counselor). This facility is available to transitioning service members, veterans, and their spouses through the DoD Transition Online Learning (TOL) system. - VETS Resource Guide
This comprehensive guide helps military service members find information about available transition-related resources and job training programs. The document is available online and is organized alphabetically to help one quickly find what they are looking for. Using this guide, veterans can find suitable transition-related career programs that can help them reach their full potential in the workplace.
TAP training options
One can explore various veteran job training programs and workshops under TAP.
- Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition (EFCT)
This one-day foundational workshop gives veterans a general understanding of the information they need for a career change. It also outlines the basic steps they can take to search for new employment opportunities. Those who sign up for EFCT get access to useful workshop materials, including plan worksheets and presentation slides. - Wounded Warrior and Caregiver Employment Workshop (WWCEW)
Ill, injured, or wounded transitioning service members who cannot pursue the regular EFCT workshop can consider WWCEW. Its self-paced, fully online curriculum is easily accessible and 508 compliant. - Career and Credential Exploration (C2E)
The program lets transitioning veterans take personalized career development assessments to identify their job interests and abilities. Each participant is guided through various career considerations, including labor apprenticeships, market projections, licensure requirements, certifications, and education. - Department of Labor Employment Workshop (DOLEW)
Offered by VETS, DOLEW is a two-day employment-focused workshop on best practices in career employment. It offers in-depth training to help veterans build an effective network, resume, and search system for employment. The program also helps one learn interview skills and identify negotiation know-how. - Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP)
An extension of traditional DOL TAP workshops, ENPP helps transitioning service members and their spouses achieve their employment and training goals. Employment Navigators (EN) offer one-on-one employment-focused training and try to connect participants to partner organizations for additional resources.
2. Veterans Transition Support (VTS)
This nonprofit offers several “no-cost” programs to prepare veterans, active duty personnel, and reservists for a seamless transition out of the military and into a new career. Some VTS-sponsored programs include Cost LEAN Certification, OSHA Safety Training Courses, and Veterans Career Matching Program.
3. Veteran Career Transition Assistance Program (VetCTAP)
VetCTAP’s mission is to boost the veteran employment rate. It does so by offering transitioning veterans and their spouses job search skills, training, practical tools, and one-on-one coaching. Those who have served in the military for ten or more years can sign up for various VetCTAP workshops.
4. Dog Tag Fellowship
In some states, veterans can explore the Dog Tag Fellowship program. This program aims to generate employment and help transitioning veterans and military families lead a productive civilian life. The fellowship program spans five months. One can look online or speak to a local representative to better understand the Dog Tag Fellowship.
5. Veteran Employment Transition (VET)
VET is an eight-week spring and fall paid program from Wells Fargo. Veterans who sign up start as program associates and later earn growth promotions based on their performance. Those who excel can even be promoted to various mid and senior-level full-time positions across the enterprise. The VET program helps veterans network with other teams and develop skills and knowledge about financial products and services. They receive on-the-job training, development, and coaching opportunities as a part of the program.
6. Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC)
Wounded warriors and transitioning service members qualify for this national-level VBA training program while still on active duty. Participants of the WARTAC program stand a chance to work with the federal government. After successful completion, the training program creates employment opportunities at one of 55 VBA Regional offices around the country.
Veterans transitioning back to civilian life can research the programs available and choose an option they think will benefit them the most. Veteran job placement and counseling services may have certain eligibility requirements, so it’s important to check them thoroughly before applying.
