Over the last six months, the Center for Military and Veterans Services collaborated with building trades unions, federal agencies, and veteran organizations to strengthen access to registered apprenticeships and career pathways that create lasting opportunities for veterans and their families.

Examples of that collaboration and our influence, ideas, and actions:

– Serving those who support and serve veterans. In February, the Center participated in the Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) Union Apprenticeships Roundtable, bringing together leaders from labor organizations, federal agencies, and veteran-serving institutions, to focus on improving access to registered apprenticeships for transitioning service members and veterans.

– Engaging with the Nation’s veteran community. Working with our building trades partners, we examined barriers veterans can encounter after entering an apprenticeship and discussed solutions to help more veterans persist, advance, and complete their programs—turning apprenticeship opportunities into lasting careers.

– Advocating by fostering, strengthening, and expanding community-based connections for veterans and their families. In August, the Center participated in The American Legion’s / Task Force Movement Convening on strengthening the skilled workforce needed to support our Nation’s Defense Industrial Base. We elevated the importance of apprenticeship completion and identified opportunities for greater collaboration with building trades unions to help more veterans reach journeyworker status.

– And we continue to do so much more.

This Labor Day offered an important reminder that America’s infrastructure, industries, and communities have always depended on skilled workers—and veterans have long been an important part of that workforce. Our work with organized labor is helping ensure that the next generation of veterans has the opportunity not only to enter the building trades, but to build careers that support their families and strengthen their communities.