House Bill 1239, the Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector (VETSS) Program Act, recently introduced in the PA House of Representatives by State Rep. Joe Webster, is a first-of-its-kind program that will help veterans in Pennsylvania make their occupational transition from the military to civilian sector, and it will help some of the commonwealth’s ambitious environmental projects get across the finish line.
With a slew of state and federal funding being distributed across Pennsylvania for the deployment of renewable energy systems, conservation efforts and energy efficiency retrofitting, the need for qualified labor is only increasing, but many leaders in the sustainability sector cite a lack of applicants with relevant experience.
Underemployment is a huge issue affecting veterans following the completion of their service, so the VETSS Program Act will provide veterans the opportunity to receive apprenticeship training in occupations pertaining to green energy and conservation, which will enable them to work for one of Pennsylvania’s departments. It also establishes the VETSS Grant Fund, which employers in the sustainability sector can utilize by hiring veterans.
HB 1239 is pro-environment, pro-veteran, and pro-Pennsylvania. Please contact your state representative and encourage them to support this legislation.
Tim Hayes, Dublin
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