Pennsylvania to Help Veterans Connect with Employment Opportunities – pennwatch.org

Report on the Pennsylvania Veterans Employment Program (VEP) Investment

Executive Summary

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) has announced a $400,000 state-funded investment in the Veterans Employment Program (VEP). The initiative is designed to connect military veterans and their spouses with competitive employment opportunities and address systemic barriers to their economic integration. This program directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on promoting inclusive economic growth and reducing inequalities.

Program Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Primary Objectives

• To facilitate the transition of veterans and their spouses into meaningful civilian careers.
• To fund innovative strategies that strengthen existing support systems for veteran employment.
• To address and remove barriers that prevent veterans from securing gainful employment.
• To leverage the unique skills of veterans to benefit Pennsylvania’s workforce and overall economy.

Contribution to Global Goals

The VEP initiative makes significant contributions to the following SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By focusing on providing veterans with access to competitive jobs, the program promotes full, productive, and decent work for a key segment of the population. It recognizes veterans as a valuable asset whose leadership and discipline can fuel sustainable economic growth within the Commonwealth.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The program specifically targets veterans and their spouses, a group that can face unique challenges in the job market. By providing tailored support, the initiative works to reduce inequalities in employment outcomes and ensure equitable opportunities for those who have served.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: This investment demonstrates the commitment of state institutions (L&I) to support citizens who have contributed to national peace and security. It exemplifies an effective and accountable institution working to serve its constituents and build a more stable society.

Funding and Implementation Details

Financial Allocation and Grant Distribution

The program is supported by a $400,000 investment, which is 100% state-funded. The allocation will be distributed through two distinct grants:

1. A grant for a project serving veterans and their spouses across the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2. A grant for a program specifically serving the veteran and spouse population within Delaware County.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligible applicants for the grant funding include a wide range of organizations committed to workforce development and community support:

• Local workforce development boards
• Non-profit and non-governmental entities
• Community-based organizations
• Education and post-secondary institutions
• Labor organizations
• Business associations and economic development groups

The deadline for applications is December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Expected Outcomes

Official Endorsements

Leadership has emphasized the program’s alignment with goals for economic and social stability. L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker stated the investment is crucial for ensuring every veteran has the support needed to succeed. Maj. Gen. John Pippy, head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), noted that integrating veterans into civilian careers benefits everyone by strengthening communities and the economy, directly contributing to the objectives outlined in SDG 8.

Anticipated Impacts

• Improved economic self-sufficiency and well-being for veterans and their families.
• A stronger, more diverse, and highly skilled workforce in Pennsylvania.
• Enhanced public-private partnerships dedicated to veteran support.
• Measurable progress toward achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) within the state.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on a $400,000 investment to “connect veterans with competitive job opportunities and address barriers to gainful employment.” The entire initiative, the Veterans Employment Program (VEP), is designed to promote productive employment for a specific segment of the population, which contributes to overall economic growth.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • This goal is relevant because the program specifically targets veterans and their spouses, a group that can face unique challenges and inequalities when transitioning from military to civilian life. By funding projects that “bridge the gap” and strengthen support systems, the initiative aims to ensure that veterans have the support they need to succeed, thereby promoting their economic inclusion and reducing potential inequalities in employment outcomes.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article highlights a multi-stakeholder approach to solving the issue of veteran unemployment. The program is not implemented by the government alone; it provides grants to a wide range of partners. The text explicitly states that eligible applicants include “local workforce development boards, non-profit and non-governmental entities, community-based organizations, education and post-secondary institutions, labor organizations, business associations and economic development groups,” which exemplifies the promotion of public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.

   • The article’s focus on providing “gainful employment” and “meaningful civilian careers” for veterans directly aligns with this target. The program’s objective is to ensure this specific group can participate fully and productively in the workforce.

2. Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.

   • The initiative is a clear effort to promote the economic inclusion of veterans. By funding programs that “address barriers to gainful employment,” the state is actively working to empower this group and ensure they have equal opportunities to “thrive when they return home.”

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   • The structure of the Veterans Employment Program, which involves the state government (L&I) providing funding to a diverse range of organizations (non-profits, community groups, educational institutions, etc.), is a direct implementation of this target. It leverages partnerships to achieve a common goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 8.5:

   • The article implies that progress can be measured by the number of veterans and their spouses who are successfully connected with “competitive job opportunities” and “meaningful civilian careers” through the funded projects.

2. Indicators for Target 10.2:

   • An indicator for this target is the successful implementation of programs that “address barriers to gainful employment” for veterans. The number of veterans and spouses served by these programs would be a key metric to measure the progress of their economic inclusion.

3. Indicators for Target 17.17:

   • A specific financial indicator mentioned is the “$400,000 investment” by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Another indicator is the number and variety of organizations (“local workforce development boards, non-profit… business associations”) that apply for and receive the grants, which would demonstrate the breadth and effectiveness of the partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: pennwatch.org