Veterans' Employment and Training Service

Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210

866-487-2365
http://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets



ASSISTANT SECRETARY	John Lowry III

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARIES
Operations and Management	J. Sam Shellenberger
Policy	(vacancy)

Chief of Staff	Jonathan VanderPlas

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/about

https://www.dol.gov/general/contact/contact-phonekeypersonnel

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service helps America's veterans, servicemembers, and their spouses who are eligible prepare for careers; provides them with employment resources and expertise; protects their employment rights; and promotes their employment opportunities.

On March 24, 1983, former Secretary of Labor Raymond J. Donovan signed Order 4–83, which redesignated the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment as the Veterans' Employment and Training Service. The Secretary's order of redesignation was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 1983 (48 FR 14092).

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1983-04-01/pdf/FR-1983-04-01.pdf

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) administers employment and training programs and compliance activities that help veterans and servicemembers succeed in their civilian careers. VETS also administers the jobs for veterans State grant program, which gives grants to States to fund personnel who are dedicated to serving the employment needs of veterans. VETS field staff works closely with and gives technical assistance to State employment workforce agencies to ensure that veterans receive priority of service and gain meaningful employment. VETS has two competitive grants programs: the homeless veterans reintegration program and the incarcerated veterans transition program. VETS also helps servicemembers who are separating from the Armed Forces prepare for the civilian labor market.

VETS has three compliance programs: the Federal contractor program, veterans' preference in Federal hiring, and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). With respect to the Federal contractor program, VETS promulgates regulations and oversees the program by helping contractors comply with their affirmative action and reporting obligations. Although the Office of Personnel Management administers and interprets statutes and regulations that govern veterans' preference in Federal hiring, VETS investigates allegations that veterans' preference rights have been violated.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/about

In addition, VETS preserves servicemembers' employment and reemployment rights through its administration and enforcement of USERRA. VETS conducts investigations of alleged violations, and it carries out a USERRA outreach program.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-108/pdf/STATUTE-108-Pg3149.pdf

Sources of Information

Career Opportunities

In 2019, the VETS ranked 227th among 420 agency subcomponents in the Partnership for Public Service's Best Places To Work Agency Rankings.

https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/detail/DLVE

Contact Information

A national office directory is available online.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/about/nationaloffice

A regional and State directory is available online.

https://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/regionaloffices/map.htm

Find Employment

The "Find a Job" web page has resources to help veterans find employment.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/veterans/findajob

Federal Register

Significant documents and documents that VETS recently published in the Federal Register are accessible online.

https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/veterans-employment-and-training-service

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Any person has the right to request access to Federal agency records or information. VETS is required to disclose records that are properly requested in writing by any person. An agency may withhold information pursuant to nine exemptions and three exclusions contained in the FOIA. The act applies only to Federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by State or local government agencies. A FOIA request should be submitted to the appropriate national or regional VETS office by email, fax, or mail. The subject line, cover page, or envelope should be clearly labeled "Freedom of Information Act Request." The content of the request should indicate that it is a FOIA request, and it should contain as much information as possible describing the record or records being sought.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/about/foia