Veterans Come First!
Veterans Priority of Service
Niagara County is proud to offer Priority of Service to veterans and their eligible spouses. What does this mean? If you served in the military, you will be:
- Served first by the next available staff member.
- Given first priority for jobs and training for which you are eligible and qualified.
Did you know?
There is a NYS Department of Labor Veterans' Employment Representative available at your local One Stop Center to assist You!
This Representative is a specially trained veteran, and can help you in every area of your job search, including:
- Skills assessment
- Exploring training options
- Preparing a resume
- Job search help
- Referral to jobs
- Calling businesses on your behalf
- Referrals for veteran's support services
In Niagara Falls...
John Miller, Veterans Services Representative 278-8272 john.miller2@labor.ny.gov
In Lockport...
Nina Cabrera, Veterans Service Representative 433-6766 nina.cabrera@labor.ny.gov
Or, to find the closest Veterans' Employment Representative to you
Resources:
Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)
Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans.
The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who:
- Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old
- Are unemployed on the date of application
- Received an other than dishonorable discharge
- Are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance)
- Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability
- Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program
The program is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants must attend full-time in order to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program.
Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation.
Click HERE for more information
Gold Card Services for Post-911 Veterans
The Gold Card provides unemployed post-9/11 era veterans with the intensive and follow-up services they need to succeed in today's job market. The Gold Card initiative is a joint effort of the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS).
An eligible veteran can present the Gold Card at his/her local One-Stop Career Center to receive enhanced intensive services including up to six months of follow-up. The enhanced in-person services available for Gold Card holders at local One-Stop Career Centers may include:
- Job readiness assessment, including interviews and testing;
- Development of an Individual Development Plan (IDP);
- Career guidance through group or individual counseling that helps veterans in making training and career decisions;
- Provision of labor market, occupational, and skills transferability information that inform educational, training, and occupational decisions;
- Referral to job banks, job portals, and job openings;
- Referral to employers and registered apprenticeship sponsors;
- Referral to training by WIA-funded or third party service providers; and
- Monthly follow-up by an assigned case manager for up to six months.
*NEW* Veterans One-stop Center of WNY, Inc. http://vocwny.org/
Veterans One-stop Center of WNY, Inc. is located at 1280 Main St. 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14209.
"The VOC of WNY is an independent, nonprofit collaborative, that will offer U.S. veterans, service members, and their families the convenience of a barrier-free “one-stop” location to access coordinated, individualized and integrated social, health, educational, economic, and supportive services.
Services include accredited benefits counseling; employment resources & services; peer mentoring; readjustment, behavioral, and mental health counseling; legal services & veterans treatment court mentorship; financial counseling & coaching; education resources & services; and housing & emergency services."
* Upcoming Events *
Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Fair scheduled for Wednesday, June 5th from 1pm - 4pm at the Connecticut Street National Guard Armory.
See Flyer for all the details!
Starting and Managing Your Own Business - One Day Workshop through SCORE
- The workshop fee is waived for US Veterans with ID.
- More information can be found HERE
Smart Phone browser e-tool: Veterans Job Search
Additional Resources for Veterans: