November 14, 2019 - By Unemployment among California veterans dropped to 3.2 percent over the past two years – down 2.6 percentage points since August 2019 – according to the state 
Employment Development Department. And among the 735,700 employed veterans across California, 1 in 10 held a job in management, earning $138,000 annually compared to the statewide average of $60,485.
What does that say? That veterans make great employees as they return to the private sector. And for many, their military experience makes them boss material.
Veterans Day provided the EDD an opportunity to honor the brave men and women who have served our country by highlighting the employment resources EDD provides to help veterans in their transition from military service to the civilian workforce. EDD’s 2019 Veterans Day web page features valuable information and resources, along with video success stories that show how veterans, and employers who hired veterans, used EDD services to make a career connection.
“EDD proudly serves California veterans by helping connect them to job opportunities with employers who value their unique skillsets and training,” said EDD Director Patrick W. Henning. “We work to provide our veterans with quality services and assistance that help launch sustainable careers.”
EDD also released its 2019 Veterans Workforce Report highlighting the latest data on veteran employment in California including the industries hiring veterans, the jobs they are performing, and the skills and education veterans possess to meet employer needs.
California’s Veteran Workforce
California is home to 1.6 million veterans. Currently, more than 760,000 California veterans are employed – most often in occupations involving management, protective services, transportation, office administration and construction. Several of these jobs are in industries leading the economic growth in California, which is forecasted to add 1.9 million jobs between 2016 and 2026. That makes veterans well-poised to fill employer needs in the future.
Through Governor Newsom’s multi-agency initiative, the events are administered by EDD in coordination with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and other departments.
Additional Services for Veterans:
• Local EDD employment representatives at America’s Job Center of California locations provide job and career assistance to veterans. EDD veteran representatives work one-on-one and provide specialized assistance to veterans with significant barriers to employment.
• CalJOBS , EDD’s online labor exchange system, can help veterans translate their military training and specialties into marketable skills applicable to civilian jobs. Veterans will be directed to employers with job openings that match their military experience.
Additional Services for Employers:
• Local EDD employment representatives at America’s Job Center of California locations provide job and career assistance to veterans. EDD veteran representatives work one-on-one and provide specialized assistance to veterans with significant barriers to employment.
• CalJOBS is available to employers to post job openings. Employers can also refine their candidate searches to focus on veterans.
• The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program provides employers a tax credit for hiring veterans who face special obstacles as they try to reenter the workforce.
Source: CalVet
Related: EDD’s Veterans Day Campaign Showcases How Employment Services Help Veterans Find Jobs, And Employers Hire Qualified Veterans
