Michigan helps thousands of veterans build careers with training and job resources

By Veterans, for Veterans: Michigan's Veteran Employment Services helps Michiganders build new careers after service

LANSING, Mich. — For Michigan’s Veterans’ Employment Services (VES) team, helping veterans is personal. Run by veterans, for veterans, the program within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) helps veterans, transitioning service members and their families translate military experience into meaningful, good-paying civilian careers. In 2024, more than 6,500 veterans and their spouses received employment and training support.

Staff across the state meets with veterans and transitioning service members who are ready to take the next step in their careers but aren’t sure where to start. The transition from military to civilian life can bring challenges, such as navigating an unfamiliar job market, finding employers who understand military skill sets, or simply rebuilding a sense of purpose outside of uniform. That’s where VES steps in, offering one-on-one guidance from people who understand the uncertainty that can come with change.

“Michigan’s veterans have already shown incredible dedication to serving their country. Now, our responsibility is to serve them just as fully when they come home,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Deputy Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “Veterans’ Employment Services honors that commitment by ensuring every veteran has the opportunity to build a meaningful career and continue contributing their leadership and skills to our state’s future. When veterans thrive, Michigan thrives.”

These services are provided statewide through the Michigan Works! network, connecting veterans and eligible persons with career counseling, resume and interview support, training programs and employer connections. The program also helps veterans identify transferable skills and match them with high-demand career paths in industries like construction, manufacturing, IT and public service.

LEO Veterans’ Career Advisor Carrie Headworth brings her own military experience to her work, helping veterans navigate the challenges of transitioning from service to civilian life. Having served in the Air Force and experienced firsthand the uncertainty of starting a new chapter, she understands the barriers veterans face and the guidance they need to succeed.

“Leaving the military can feel like starting over from scratch,” said Headworth. “I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelming it can be. Through Veterans’ Employment Services, I help veterans see that the skills, discipline and resilience they developed in service are exactly what they need to succeed in the next chapter of their lives.”

The program’s team of Veterans’ Career Advisors and Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives share lived experience with the people they serve, creating trust and understanding from the start. Whether a veteran is just beginning their civilian job search or seeking new training to grow their career, VES ensures they’re supported every step of the way.

VES also has a team of Local Veterans' Employment Representatives who help employers recognize the many benefits that come with hiring veterans. They perform a wide range of duties on behalf of veterans, promoting the advantages of hiring veterans to employers, employer associations and business groups and advocating for veterans served by the Michigan Works! network with business, industry and other community-based organizations.

“Veterans’ Employment Services is a model for how we build an inclusive, opportunity-driven workforce,” said Krista Johnson, Director of LEO Workforce Development. “Because the program is led by veterans, it’s grounded in understanding. Our team knows firsthand what it means to transition from service to civilian life and they’re helping fellow veterans and transitioning service members turn that experience into purpose and long-term success.”

The program also partners closely with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) to ensure veterans have access to education benefits, housing resources and healthcare support. Together, these coordinated services help veterans and their families achieve stability and long-term success.

“After more than two decades in the Air Force, I know how challenging it can be to build a new life after service,” said Pat Muoio, LEO Local Veterans’ Employment Representative. “That’s why Veterans’ Employment Services means so much to me. It’s run by people who have walked the same path and understand the obstacles. When we help a veteran find a meaningful career, we’re giving them back a sense of stability and belonging.”

The program aligns closely with the Michigan Statewide Workforce Plan, and reflects the state’s broader commitment to building an inclusive, opportunity-driven workforce.

According to the Michigan Veterans Report published by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, veterans make up over five percent of the state’s population and earn roughly $10,000 more than nonveterans. The number of new veteran Registered Apprentices also increased by roughly 20% in the last year – accelerating high-wage career pathways for Michigan’s veterans.

For additional information on training and employment services available to veterans, visit Michigan.gov/VES or your local Michigan Works! Service Center.

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