August 19, 2013

Empty Promises to at Least This Veteran

Empty Promises to at Least This Veteran
I just have no freakin idea who is in charge of the mess that is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), but I'm thinking it was one of those initiative intended to make people feel good and not really intending to actually help veterans.

I spent time & money attending school towards a "high-demand" occupation. I graduated last May and you know how many of these "high demand" jobs I've seen come up in this field? One....well technically two, but one required a Masters Degree and a bunch of experience.

Now the whole idea behind VRAP is giving unemployed Veterans help & opportunity for employment. I just wonder how they intend to actually accomplish this task. Today, more than three months after graduating I receive my first contact from the Department of Labor.....the Dept. "in charge" of VRAP:

June 20, 20131

Dear Christopher Stogdill,

Thank you for participating in the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP).

We at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would like to take this opportunity to wish you well as you begin your job search2 for the high demand occupation of General and Operations Managers3.  We would also like to inform you that as you begin your career search, you are not alone4.  DOL supports nearly 2,800 American Job Centers, sometimes known as One-Stop Career Centers, across the country that can provide you with high quality career services at no cost to you.

Whether you are looking to explore new opportunities, update your resume featuring VRAP training, receive tips on interviewing techniques and preparing cover letters, find out more information about salaries and benefits in various occupations, or receive assistance with your job search, American Job Centers are ready to provide you the career services you want!  In addition, your military service entitles you to Veterans’ priority of service in all of our American Job Centers!

To find out more about the services available at American Job Centers and to search your state’s job bank we encourage you to visit, http://www.careeronestop.org/.  To find the American Job Center nearest you please visit, http://www.servicelocator.org/ where you will be able to find the nearest American Job Center location by entering your zip code or city and state. Also, visit DOL personnel collocated at your local VA Benefits Regional Office. To find the Regional Office nearest you please visit, http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp.

Again we want to thank you for your participation in VRAP, and encourage you to take advantage of all the career services currently available at your nearest American Job Center.  An American Job Center staff member will be in contact with you to offer assistance and help you achieve your career goals.

Sincerely,

The US Department of Labor

1) June 20th?! Still a whole month after I graduated. Some help then would have been useful......
2) "As I begin my job search"? If I didn't need the help this would all be a moot point.
3) Umm.....while I have a degree and experience in that field, that isn't the one I entered VRAP for.
4) I've been alone so far........ 

Stupid Letter 3 Months Late

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree this program seems to be lacking the knowledge to operate. I hate to say this but its starting to look like its most goverment offices. I sent to the military archives for my records and after two months I received some other veterans file so how about that.

Anonymous said...

Totally agree! My husband just graduated with honors and actually completed 2 Associate degrees in the time of one using the VRAP program. Where is this employment help? Basically you are on your own back to looking at talent banks and online for a job. He is back to square one where he was 2 years ago.