Labor Department grants aid veteran job placement Published Dec. 16, 2004 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- More than 1,600 veterans will be placed in new jobs, thanks to $3.78 million in Labor Department grants awarded Dec. 14.Another 600 veterans are expected to receive employment and training services as a result of these grants, which are awarded under the Workforce Investment Act, officials said."The (act) has expanded the eligibility criteria for veterans who might not be covered by other programs," Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said. "We can now offer services to any honorably discharged veteran (who) served on active duty during a war or received a campaign or expedition badge," said Frederico Juarbe Jr., the assistant secretary of labor for veterans' employment and training. Veterans with service-connected disabilities, those who have recently separated or those facing other significant barriers to employment are also eligible for the services, he said.The grants make possible a range of services for veterans, officials said. They include assessing job skills, career counseling, current labor-market information, classroom or on-the-job training skills upgrading or retraining and job-placement assistance.Applicants were asked to focus their training efforts on career fields where the lack of a license or a certification has become a barrier to employment. The grants are administered by public agencies and nonprofit organizations.The grants were awarded on a competitive basis by the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service. The department will award second-year funding to the people who meet or exceed the performance criteria set forth in their original award. Grants were awarded to veterans in California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)