Narrative: a.

Employment Outlook for Veterans

1. The Overall Employment Outlook for Veterans

The employment outlook for Veterans in Tennessee is expected to be above that for their civilian counterparts. Continued technological advances in military equipment and the requisite training to operate and maintain this gear make Veterans highly competitive in a broad spectrum of markets. A lack of required (I.E. Healthcare, CDL, etc.) certification because of “State Mandated” formal educational training remains a challenge for some Veterans in certain career fields. However, programs like the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Transition Assistance Program along with proposed state legislative action to allow for the use of military schooling to be used in lieu of in-state instruction, are dealing with these difficulties and provide opportunities along with information and training to enhance the accreditation process for recently separated Veterans in a variety of career fields. The “Soft skills” Veterans possess also make them desirable to potential employers and include; leadership, a strong work ethic, teamwork, loyalty and a desire to succeed, just to name a few.

2. Opportunities for Veterans

Areas of growth specifically being promoted by the current administration are jobs in the automotive and healthcare sectors. Hankook manufacturing from Korea has agreed to build a new tire plant in Clarksville Tennessee (Montgomery County) that will employ 1500+ people. One of the deciding factors for them locating in Clarksville was the close proximity of Ft. Campbell and the large pool of available transitioning and residential Veterans. Additionally, the current automotive industry in Tennessee is expanding, with Nissan committed to increasing production of the Nissan Leaf in Smyrna. GM will also continue to produce the Chevy Volt at the Spring Hill plant and Volkswagen is expanding with plans to grow their production facility in Chattanooga. In addition to the specific auto manufacturers, the companies that support those facilities continue to grow as well. As an example, Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), the company that produces the battery for the Leaf is expanding to meet the higher level of demand through increased production.

Because of the increase in age of the general population, the healthcare sector will continue to expand in Tennessee as well. HealthCare Corporation of America (HCA) continues to grow in Tennessee and is one of the largest employers within the State providing a wide variety of job opportunities for Veterans such as EMT, medical, IT, etc.

To aid in the growth of these industries, Tennessee is making a significant amount of grant money available through the Tennessee Department of Economic Community Development for job development to assist these companies with the training and placement of employees, including Veterans for these highly desired jobs. Programs such as On the Job Training (OJT) and the Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) are just two examples of funding assistance available to them.

Some examples of companies that are expected to provide notable opportunities for Veterans:

• Hankook Tires, Montgomery County

• Berretta Firearms, Sumner County

• TVA, Sumner County

• HealthCare Corporation of America

1. Projected Long-Term Employment through 2019

Growth Rates for the Long Term: In the long term, employment is expected to rise through 2019 in most sectors. The top five industries and occupations in the state that will provide employment opportunities in Tennessee are: 1) Education and Health Services, 2) Trade Transportation, and Utilities, 3) Professional and Business Services, 4) Manufacturing, and 5) Government. The growth rate through 2019 is significant at 1.2 percent per annum where healthcare and social assistance, professional and business services, construction, and education sectors are projected to gain the most jobs. Some service sector and truck transportation jobs are likely to show significant growth as well.

1. Promoting the hiring and retention of Veterans

The advantage of hiring Veterans is a topic that needs to be presented to an employer on a consistent basis. Tennessee’s American Job Centers (AJCs), through the Business Services Team (BST), will provide an effective conduit to promote Veterans to businesses as a sound and wise investment. Federal contractors and subcontractors are also targeted as companies that not only can benefit from the hiring of Veterans, but they are also informed about their responsibilities under the Office of Federal Contract and Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) guidelines as well. This is done through our BST, which includes the Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER), the Local Office Site Leads, Wagner-Peyser (W/P) staff, Local Workforce Development Area (LWDA) staff as well as the Tennessee’s Department of Labors’ Workforce Development (TDLWD) Marketing Services Team within the Service Delivery System. All provide valuable information about promoting Veterans within a variety of venues including job fair participation, Chamber of Commerce meetings, Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) meetings, employer visits, public radio and television service spots and departmental brochures. Besides the benefits of hiring Veterans, employers are also informed about the assistance available to them at the AJC, such as the ability to conduct individual hiring fairs and notification of job opportunities to potential candidates.

Retention of our Veterans who received case managed services is accomplished through follow - up within 30/60/90 days of initial hire between the individual Veteran and the employer by our DVOP staff. This gives both parties an opportunity to discuss potential issues before they escalate.

Targeting Services to Veterans with Significant Barriers to Employment (SBE)

According to the latest Census Data (Census 2010), there are 475,375 Veterans over the age of 18 in Tennessee. There are 275,122 Veterans between the ages of 18-64: male Veterans total 246,498 and female Veterans 28,624. Of these Veterans, 44,369 are classified as disabled. Also, approximately 8,800 Tennessee Reservists and National Guardsman have been called to active duty for service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of these service members were not classified initially as Veterans by Title 38 definition but will be eligible for service as a Veteran upon their return. Assisting this group of Veterans is critical to their successful transition back to civilian life.

Additionally, continued outreach within the local community is vital to promote all the services available to our Veterans.

Latest estimates of homeless Veterans by the Veterans Administration’s (VA) Point-In-Time Count indicate there are approximately 3,300 homeless Veterans residing in Tennessee. In addition to the groups mentioned above, the Armed Forces are possibly planning a massive drawdown of active duty troops within next three years. The number of servicemen this is projected to affect is estimated at 1.5 million. Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs) within the Tennessee Department of Labor-Workforce Development (TDLWD) will provide services to Veterans who have been identified as having a SBE that requires additional enhanced services through case management, consistent with VPL 03-14 Ch. 1 and VPL 03-14 Ch. 2, and 04-14. These include:

Veterans with a compensable disability; Homeless (As defined by Section 103(a) of the Stewart B. Mckinney Homeless Assistance Act);

• Recently separated service members with 27 or more consecutive weeks of unemployment;

• Veterans who have recently been incarcerated along with incarcerated

• Veterans who are being released soon;

• Veterans needing a high school diploma or equivalent certificate;

• Low income (As defined by WIOA);

• Veterans between the ages of 18-24; and other eligible as defined in the statutes.

DVOPs are required to take an active role in seeking out and assisting these targeted groups by networking with other local, state, and federal government agencies. DVOPs also develop partnerships with Veteran Service Organizations, community service organizations, LWDA partners, faith-based organizations, and any other entities that are dedicated to locating and serving Veterans in need and helping them with the purpose of providing intensive services so they are able to successfully compete in the job market. TDLWD acknowledges that homeless Veterans are not likely to seek our services on their own and that an “under the bridge” approach is to be taken by DVOPs, encouraging them to go where these individuals can be found. In locations where there is access to organizations such as US DOL Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) grantees (Such as Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN) and Volunteers of America Knoxville), VA facilities, Warrior Transition Units (WTU) etc., direct partnerships have been established where the DVOP will visit the facility weekly (In the case of OSDTN, a DVOP is available) to provide services as needed.

The goal is to help the Veteran become job ready and gain employment in a field of their interest and/or ability. Veterans who are identified as having SBE through the initial intake process at the AJC, and need specific Intensive Services, will be referred to appropriate DVOP staff for assistance as required. The DVOP and the Veteran will work together to complete a career assessment and document any current or potential SBEs, then monitor them through the Case Management process. The Veteran would then, if required, be referred to an appropriate partner for additional services as needed. In the absence of DVOP staff, the LOFF Manager, or other W/P staff, assumes responsibility for the career assessment of the individual and assures that appropriate referrals and services are provided. DVOPs are a supplement to the AJC staff and should not be a substitute for providing services.

Tennessee will continually monitor and assess the performance data of services provided to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of both the DVOP and the LVER are adhered to and determine if adjustments to the program are needed.

The Quarterly Manager's Reports, along with onsite office validations and desk audits, will be used to ensure compliance with this directive and other guidance as given by DOL-ETA, VETS, and the TDLWD.

There are no designated Tribal Lands within the State of Tennessee. Native American Veterans receive the same services as non-Native Americans.