New research shows veterans were employed at much lower rates than nonveterans after receiving public workforce development services. The research, looking at Washington state administrative data, covered the years 2002 to 2012.
Colleen Chrisinger of the University of Oregon describes her findings in an Upjohn Institute working paper. Veterans had high participation rates in workforce development and job training programs designed specifically for veterans, but were less likely to participate in services provided under Wagner-Peyser and WIA Adult programs.
Chrisinger found that, after program receipt, veterans were much less likely than nonveterans to be employed six months and one year after program receipt. After six months, 38 percent of veterans and 46 percent of nonveterans were employed. After a year, 34 percent of veterans and 42 percent of nonveterans were employed.
Overall, Chrisinger found that the employed veterans earned more, on average than nonveterans, conditional on employment. Compared to a matched sample of nonveterans, however, the difference in earning was small.
Download “Veterans in Workforce Development: Participation and Labor Market Outcomes” by Colleen K. Chrisinger.