Veterans and their spouses could get support to help them find work or move to a better job through a bill authored by a Central New York Congressmember John Mannion. The Next Mission Act would provide more funding for job training and certificate programs that lead to quality employment.
“We want to make sure that as our military members transition into civilian life, and over 200,000 of them do each year, that they have access to quality employment, that is aligned with their background and their skills. Many veterans are employed, but they're often underemployed,” Mannion said.
Inspiration for the bill came from local sources. Mannion noted Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families offers successful models for transitioning from military to civilian life. He also drew from Clear Path for Veterans’ personal model helping clients one-on-one.
The bill would create a grant program to help fund programs across the country that provide the necessary training or certificates that would lead to good jobs.
“The program would work with trusted and validated not-for-profits, to enhance those employment services. These grants would allow access to certification programs, job counseling and placement, one-to-one assistance, to make sure that we are connecting those veterans to either credentials, counseling, etc. That would be done through these third parties,” Mannion explained.
The bill has a republican co-sponsor, Nick LaLota (R-NY). Mannion added building widespread support is important.
"We've earned endorsements from several entities to build that consensus, including IVMF at Syracuse, but also the American Legion, VFWs, and Hire Heroes USA. So it is that consensus building which gives us the best opportunity to get this over the line, and get the veterans the support that they need," he said.
Many veterans have other barriers to civilian transition, including trauma, mental health and other issues. Mannion argued stable employment that draws on their skills and experience can often ease some of those challenges.
He admits it’s difficult for any legislation to gain traction in the current Congress, which he says hasn’t moved many bills through. His next steps are to get the Next Mission Act on the Veterans’ Affairs committee agenda.
