Department of Veterans Affairs and EPA Help Vets Get Careers in Water Sector

By Charlene Cooper

May 31, 2012 03:09 PM EDT

Resources to new career opportunities in the water and waste water division are opening up for veterans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with the Department of Veterans Affairs will pair up to help provide disabled veterans with jobs in the water sector.

Both organizations plan on working with state and local governments to encourage water plants to hire veterans. They also plan on working closely with veterans to help train them on how to work in these facilities. They will further help provide them with added education through programs that help transition veterans into working as civilians.

Many veterans are highly qualified for jobs in the water division because much of their training in the military is directly related to some of the jobs performed in the water and waste water sector.

Some of the possible jobs that veterans may be placed in include jobs in the water science, engineering, and laboratory science departments of drinking water facilities and waste water plants.

These recent employment opportunities are expected to aid in decreasing the rate of unemployed veterans. They will also benefit the environment through added employees who work to provide clean water.

There is a growing demand for water and waste water employees within the United States. Up to one-third of current employees in the field are eligible for retirement within the next seven years. This potential loss of a large amount of employees will create an open opportunity for new talent. The U.S Department of Labor predicts that the employment rate in this sector will rise up to 20 percent between 2008 and 2018.

The effort to place veterans in jobs is a part of the VA's Vocational and Rehabilitation Program. The program helps over 100,000 disabled veterans annually. Some of the VA's tasks in aiding veterans include helping them find, apply for, and keep jobs. The service also provides living accommodations and additional job training to veterans if need be.