Chris Smith: “nationally, only about three in ten veterans seeking jobs through the Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)…”

“nationally, only about three in ten veterans seeking jobs through the Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), which is managed by the Department of Labor, are finding work. And the work they are finding isn't necessarily in career-type jobs. This federally-funded program, which is carried out through a partnership with the States, must do a better job. The Committee's bill, H.R. 4015, as amended, would revamp VETS to allow it to work better within the framework of the recent Workforce Investment Act. One of the bill's most important provisions would require the Secretary of Labor to carry our a program of financial and non- financial performance incentive awards to states to encourage them to improve and modernize their employment, training and placement services for veterans. The bill would also require any poorly performing states to develop and implement corrective action plans. Mr. Speaker, I don't want to imply that states are not doing a good job. In fact, many are. I am confident that with the enactment of this legislation, the states with poor records will be given the flexibility and incentives they need to improve. The result will be that many more veterans will find good jobs and taxpayers will get a much better return on their investment in this program for veterans.”