MISSION: HIRE QUALIFIED VETS FOR THE VA

VA APPOINTS NEW VETERANS EMPLOYMENT COORDINATOR

MISSION: HIRE QUALIFIED VETS FOR THE VA

VA employee Allison Wilson has been assigned as the regional veterans employment coordinator for a six-state area, which includes Kansas. Her primary mission is to recruit veterans for employment into the VA system. The new program is particularly interested in recruiting severely wounded or injured veterans returning from the Global War on Terrorism.

Based in San Antonio, Ms. Wilson has a challenging duty. Her bottom line message to the KCVA on what she wants to accomplish:

"Get Kansas vets hired!"

The mission of the VA’s Veterans Employment Coordination Service includes:

• Attracting, recruiting, and hiring qualified vets into the VA system (particularly severely injured vets)
• Opening opportunities for veterans employment
• Ensuring VA managers and supervisors are thoroughly familiar with the use of special hiring opportunities
• Promoting VA career opportunities
• Conducting outreach to vets, particularly severely injured vets from Iraq and Afghanistan
• Having a presence at military career fairs and transition assistance centers
• Coordinating with local veterans employment centers

In addition, Wilson’s program requires collaboration with vocational rehabilitation and employment centers, the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, the Army Warrior Transition Program, various veteran service organizations, and other veterans stakeholders. The KCVA has assisted her in contacting the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Riley as well as the state’s veterans employment coordinator in the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Information on the program can be found online at: www.va.gov/vecs. She can be reached at Allison.Wilson@va.gov or (210) 273-8034.