Military Connection: LA Mayor Vows 10K Veteran Jobs: By Debbie Gregory

Recently, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the launch of a multi-agency program designed to assist Veterans. The L.A. area is home to approximately 330,000 Veterans. Veterans in Los Angeles have experienced a decline in employment prospects, with the local Veteran unemployment rate up to 15%. The mayor’s plan pledges to secure 10,000 jobs for Veterans by 2017.

The plan is called the 10,000 Strong Initiative. It involves over 100 major employers including the Walt Disney Company, Dream Works, Bank of America, Health Net, Verizon, USC, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Coca-Cola.

Under the plan, the city of Los Angeles will commit $9 million over the next five years. The money will go to connecting Veterans with sustainable employment. The mayor wants the initiative to ensure that Veterans will account for at least 10% of those being served at L.A.’s new workforce development centers, which are set to open in July.

“Our troops are finally returning home,” Mayor Garcetti said at the launch of the 10,000 Strong Initiative. “They need more than a smile and a hug. They need housing. They need jobs. They need full integration back into civilian life.”

Mayor Garcetti might know a thing or two about service members. He is a lieutenant (O-3) in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Garcetti’s 10,000 Strong Initiative is also being supported by several government agencies, including the LAPD and the LAFD, Los Angeles County, Metro, and the Department of Water and Power.

The 10,000 Strong Initiative is a good plan that if correctly executed, could have a major impact on the Veteran community of Los Angeles. While 15% of local Veterans are unemployed, there are countless more who are underemployed. Veterans deserve the chance to earn a sustainable income. They deserve meaningful employment and not just jobs. The idea that 10,000 Los Angeles area Veterans are being given the chance to provide for their families through this initiative should appeal to anyone who feels that we need to take care of those who have served.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard & Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.