April 21, 2023
A Closer Look at the Veteran Population
Photo by Adeolu Eletu under Unsplash License
Most service members who leave the military and return to civilian life face challenges they didn’t expect. One of their most common struggles is unemployment.
If you’ve been in the military, finding a civilian job that fits your skillset can be difficult. This is especially true if you joined the military right after you got out of high school or you retired because of physical and mental injuries.
Unemployment Rate Among Veterans by the Numbers
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the veteran unemployment rate rose from 2.5% to 2.8% in November 2022. Moreover, unemployment rates among 18 to 24-year-old former service members increased from 5.6% to 11.6%. Veterans have a higher unemployment rate than their non-veteran peers within the same age group.
The unemployment rate for the 25 to 34 age group increased from 2.5% to 2.9%. On the other hand, unemployment among 32 to 44-year-olds significantly decreased by 1.2%, bringing the numbers down from 3.0% to 1.8%. The unemployment rate for veterans 65 and older is higher (3.8%) than for non-veterans over 65 years (3.3%).
The BLS also found out that the unemployment rate among male veterans (3.33%) is higher than their female counterparts (2.0%) based on its report released in December last year. Concerning race, Asian and Asian American veterans have the highest unemployment rate, followed by Blacks or African Americans.
Why Many Veterans Are Unemployed
While the levels of unemployment among veterans have declined in recent years, thousands of our heroes are still struggling to find gainful employment. Veteran Car Donations shares the top 3 reasons why they remain jobless:
- Service-related disabilities
In-service disabilities are one of the biggest factors contributing to veteran unemployment. Many veterans suffer from physical and mental injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), because of their combat experience. Those with severe injuries find it difficult to function well in society. Although the government prohibits employers from discriminating against people with disabilities, many still hesitate to hire veterans.
- Skills mismatch
Many veterans enlisted in the military without a college degree. For this reason, the skills they possess after retiring from service are largely a result of their military training. In some cases, civilian jobs don’t require these skills.
Some have been able to remedy the skills mismatch. They include those who pursued a college education and underwent training after leaving the military, enabling them to land suitable jobs in the civilian workforce.
- Hurdles In certifications and licensing
The civilian workforce requires specific training and certification. For this reason, the technical skills that service members learned in the military may not be useful in the civilian workforce once they retire and seek civilian jobs unless they can demonstrate their abilities and prove their competency.
The problem is that acquiring education and certification is expensive and time-consuming. For instance, a military medic and a civilian medic may have similar responsibilities and job descriptions, but if a veteran wants to become a medic outside the military, they’ll need to spend at least $10,000 to get a certification. For this reason, many retired service members often forego the certification process.
Your Car Donation Can Help Needy Veterans Land Jobs
If you care for the veterans in your community who can’t find decent jobs, you can extend them a helping hand by donating any vehicle you no longer need to us at Veteran Car Donations. Your donation will benefit not just unemployed former service members but also those who are suffering from poverty, homelessness, disabilities, and serious illnesses, including mental disorders.
We will sell your donated vehicle through an auction and use the proceeds to support the life improvement programs for veterans of our IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. These nonprofits use the funding we give them to provide their beneficiaries with employment and livelihood opportunities, housing and financial assistance, family support, free comprehensive health care and medical treatment, psychotherapy services, educational scholarships, and many other benefits.
You’ll reap meaningful rewards in return for your charitable contribution. Instead of driving your vehicle to our nearest facility, you’ll get free professional towing services from us. We can collect your vehicle anywhere in the country.
Your gift will also entitle you to claim the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season.
On top of these material rewards, you’ll experience the priceless joy of knowing that you’re giving back to those who put their lives on the line to protect ours and secure our freedoms as well.
Since we’re willing to accept nearly all vehicle types, feel free to donate your unwanted car, truck, van, motorcycle, snowmobile, or even your uncle’s motorized wheelchair.
Head over to our FAQs page to get to know our quick and convenient donation process and other important information you might want to know. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to call us through our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822 or write to us here.
Give Hope to Our Suffering Heroes Today!
Photo by Iz zy under Unsplash License
Your car donation can bring hope to our forgotten heroes. It can turn their lives around. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our secure online donation form now!