Veteran Employment Success Stories

Every month the Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) will be sharing stories of individuals that have successfully found careers through our services. Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Representative (DVOP) provide the intensive services necessary to meet the employment needs of Veterans who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, disabled, homeless, or facing other significant barriers to employment. Visit often to see how Wisconsin is putting our Veterans back to work!

April 2020

• A low-income veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation program, worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran received federal/non-federal resume earning $75,000 per year with paid relocation and full benefits.
• A service-connected disabled veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation program was hired as an IT User Support Specialist earning $34.00 per hour. The veteran received LMI information, job leads, resume development, and mock interview assistance from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist.
• A veteran who was directed by his command to work with a local job center in preparation for an upcoming retirement/discharge from service was hired as a HR Generalist as a GS-9, earning $45,0000.00 per year. The veteran received transition information from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist to include CVSO and WDVA information, resume updating, JCW and LMI information, job referrals, and leads.
• A low-income, 18-24-year-old and recently separated veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran received resume development, housing and job referrals, and WIOA Career Services support in the form of $1,100 in tools. The veteran was hired as a two-year union apprentice and will earn $20.02 per hour. They will also receive 4-years of Post-911 GI Bill payments with full benefits.
• A low-income veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran received resume development, job development, job referrals, and WIOA Career Services support. The veteran accepted an offer as a full time Machine Operator III earning $18.80 per hour and will receive full benefits.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran received resume development, housing and job referrals, and job development and accepted a full-time Certified Medical Technician earning $34,000 annually with full benefits.
• A low-income veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran received resume development, job development, and job referrals. The veteran accepted a position as a full-time Forklift Driver and Production Team Lead and will earn $17.00 per hour with full benefits.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was hired as a Mail Handler, which is a full-time federal position at a rate of $16.50 per hour during the probationary period. The veteran received assistance from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist to include resume development and JCW navigation for UI during COVID-19.
• A Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist assisted a service-connected disabled veteran with resume development and employment readiness services. The veteran recently accepted an offer of part time seasonal employment that may transition to full time employment as a Cashier with a starting salary of $15.00 per hour working 30-35 hours per week. The veteran is excited about the opportunity and is hoping it will transition into a full-time opportunity within the company at a higher rate of pay.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services who provided resume development, housing and job referrals, and job development. The veteran accepted a full-time light industrial Building Maintenance position earning $15.00 per hour with full benefits.
• A Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist assisted a service-connected disabled veteran with resume development and employment readiness services. The veteran recently accepted an offer for full time employment as a Machine Operator with a starting salary of $13.00 per hour with a raise scheduled after 90 days to $16.00 per hour. The veteran is excited that the employer is within a reasonable commuting distance to their residence and is happy to return to the workforce.
• A low-income, homeless, and recently release from incarceration veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services where they received resume development and referrals for housing and employment. The veteran accepted a position as a Production Line worker for $12.00 per hour with full benefits.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was provided with a comprehensive assessment, case management, and job development, which resulted in employment as a General Laborer making $11.00 per hour plus benefits after their probationary period.
• A low-income, at-risk of homelessness veteran was hired full-time earning $13.00 per hour with a $2.00 additional pay differential ($15 per hour) during COVID-1. The veteran was provided connections to partner agencies such as Work smart (WIOA), housing resources, and referrals. They were also assisted with resume and job leads.
• A low-income veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program recently completed a second A.S. Degree in Forensic Biology. The veteran was seeking out of state employment in the Indiana and Illinois corridor. The veteran and Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist completed a federal and non-federal resume for VA Health Care and large medial facility respectively. The veteran was hired in Mayville Indiana as a Biomedical Forensics Technician earning $62,000 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who learned to develop a resume and improve their interviewing skills, while working with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, found employment as a Park Maintenance Worker earning $44,678.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received resume and job seeking assistance from the Office Employment Services staff to secure employment as a Service Technician Lead earning $20.00 per hour with benefits.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was hired as a Cook and began employment on April 10th, 2020 with a starting wage of $16.83 per hour after receiving employment assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff.
• A service-connected disabled veteran has been out of work for three months. A Local Veteran Employment Representative contacted a Local Carpenters Union and secured a position for the veteran as a Carpenter Foreman and would be hired once Union Dues were paid. Unable to pay the Union Fee, the LVER requested assistance form a local Veterans Organization, which covered the Union cost. The veteran has begun employment and is earning $38.00 an hour.
• A low-income, at risk of homelessness, and recently released from incarceration veteran, completed resume development and job development from Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. Th veteran was hired as a full-time warehouse line Production Technician for $16.50 per hour, with full benefits. The veteran will be advanced twice within a 60-day period and will see a $1.00 per hour raise for each newly trained position as part of a COVID-19 hiring incentive package.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was assisted with obtaining sustainable employment as a Human Resources Manager earning a salary of $16.00 an hour. The Office of Veteran Employment Services staff assisted the veteran with individual employment counseling, job search, Local Market Information, and job referrals.
• A previously incarcerated veteran that did not complete High School found employment as a Stock/Warehousing Clerk for $13.00 an hour after receiving employment assistance from the staff of the Office of Veteran Employment Services.
• A previously incarcerated veteran was assisted with job search and placement by Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran accepted a position as a Heavy Equipment Operator earning $52,000.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 program was assisted with resume review and job leads and secured a position as an IT Service Desk Analyst earning $25.00 per hour.
• A homeless veteran received assistance from Office of Veteran Employment Services staff to secure employment as an Apartment Maintenance Technician earning $37,500 annually.
• A Vietnam-era veteran received a myriad of career planning services from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. As a result of these services and referrals, the veteran was able to successfully overcome barriers and gained employment with a federal government office in administration starting at $19.00 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled and homeless veteran worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist to develop a resume and receive assistance from Patriots for Warriors. The veteran was hired as a Truck Load Coordinator earning $16.04 per hour during probation period, then $18.50 per hour moving forward.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received resume assistance from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist and referred to a Local Veteran Employment Representative to be skill matched to positions that they were qualified for. The veteran was hired as a Customer Service Representative starting at $15.25 per hour.
• The Office of Veteran Employment Services staff assisted a previously incarcerated veteran with resume development, job search, and referrals. The veteran has obtained employment as a Medical Equipment Assembler earning $15.75 per hour with benefits. The veteran was assisted with referrals to CVSO, SSVF, Heat4Heroes, Garske's Veterans Services, and Catholic Charities.
• A Vietnam-era veteran who learned to develop a resume and improve their interviewing skills has found employment as a Park Worker earning $12.00 per hour.
• A veteran who is at-risk-of-homeless was able to secure employment as a Stock Clerk for $12.00 an hour after working with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist.
• A low-income, 30% service-connected disabled veteran who was at risk of homelessness received resume development and job search skills from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist that lead to placement as a General Engineer making $100,000 per year.
• A veteran who was at risk of homelessness was able to maintain their housing through the efforts of Center for Veteran Issues and Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran was also assisted with updating their resume and job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as an Electrician earning $95,000.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 Program, received resume assistance, job search, and employment guidance. The veteran found an opportunity providing job advancement as a Cook Supervisor Foreman with a starting of $64,000 annually.
• A veteran overcame homelessness through efforts of Center for Veteran Issues and Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran redeveloped their resume and received numerous job referrals and was hired as an HVAC Technician earning $52,000 per year.
• A recently separated veteran received resume assistance, job search, and employment guidance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran secured employment as an Electrician with a starting wage of $49,900 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran has gained employment at a supply company earning $22.50 per hour. The veteran worked on resume development and interview skills with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. The Local Veteran Employment Representative was able to facilitate a direct referral.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 Program accepted a position as a Legal Instruments Examiner as a federal employee grade GS-07 earning $45,000 per year after receiving career services from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff.
• A Chapter 31, service-connected disabled veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff to receive a full complement of career planning services. They gained a professional position as an Instructor at Fort McCoy, with a starting salary of $21.97 per hour.
• A homeless veteran received job search and employment guidance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff and secured employment as a Restoration Technician. The veteran's starting wage is $30,000.00 annually
• A veteran that was previously incarcerated, low income, and homeless was assisted by the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff with resume development and job search skills leading to employment as an Assembler earning $17.00 per hour.
• A previously incarcerated, low income, and homeless veteran worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist and was assisted with resume development and job search skills leading to placement as an Electronic Installer earning $15.00 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran that recently relocated to Wisconsin, worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist on resume development, job search strategies, and an application for security licensure in Wisconsin. The veteran accepted a full-time Security Officer position making $14.50 per hour while they complete education relating to veteran's overall career goal.
• A veteran who was at risk of becoming homeless was assisted with updating their resume was hired as a Sales Associate earning $14.50 per hour after receiving career services from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist.
• A homeless veteran enhanced their customer service skills after receiving employment preparation guidance from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. The Veteran gained employment as a Machine Operator.