Veteran Employment Services provides vital support 

Work Matters Column by Mark Koenig

Here in the Lincoln Trail region, a shared appreciation for our nation’s military members and veterans is abundantly apparent. With our proximity to Fort Knox, our region is defined not only by the presence of those in uniform, but also by veterans who choose to stay in the area to live and work.

The transition from the military to the civilian workforce, however, can sometimes come with challenges. That is why the Kentucky Career Center - Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT) offers services to military veterans in their search for a successful new career path. Each day, I proudly serve veterans from throughout our eight-county region through my role as a Veteran Employment Consultant at KCC-LT. 

Our Veteran Employment Services Program is a vital resource, addressing the unique employment and training requirements of the veterans we serve. At our career centers, eligible veterans receive no-cost priority service to help with the transition to post-military careers.

We offer tailored services, including career assessments, interview preparation, labor market information, resume and cover letter assistance, access to computers and internet and more. The community members we serve have honed their skills through rigorous military training and unique experiences, which can be translated into marketable attributes for the workforce. This makes transitioning service members and veterans more employable and helps retain this talented workforce in the Lincoln Trail area.

A significant yet lesser-known aspect of Veteran Employment Services is our co-enrollment partnership with the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. Through this partnership, we provide employment and training services to homeless veterans, aiding their reintegration into society and securing stable, meaningful employment. We also extend these services to justice-involved veterans seeking reintegration into the workforce.

Our comprehensive range of services is as diverse as the needs of our veterans. We meet the veterans where they are, providing life-changing referrals for basic needs one day, and playing the role of hiring managers for interview preparation the next.

As we continue this meaningful work, we are pleased to be growing in our capacity to serve. In April, KCC-LT introduced a new access point on Fort Knox, serving Soldiers, civilian employees and their families. This access point, open every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., strengthens the partnership between the installation and KCC-LT, bringing essential services directly to the Fort Knox community and enhancing the Transition Assistance Program, an interagency cooperative federal effort to assist in military to civilian transition.

For me, the most rewarding aspect of this role is being the go-to professional for transitioning service members, directly connecting them to employers and providing support during times of change. And in this line of work, you get the opportunity to meet some true heroes. One of the stand-out successes my team had was being able to connect a 97-year-old World War II veteran with strategic partners to obtain VA benefits he gave up on many years ago. It is a distinct honor to serve individuals who have given so much to our country. 

If you are a military veteran in need of career services, or if you know someone who is, do not hesitate to contact our office. To learn more about the Veteran Employment Services Program, visit ltcareercenter.org/veterans. 

Mark Koenig serves as a Veteran Employment Consultant for the Kentucky Career Center - Lincoln Trail. He can be reached at mark.koenig@ky.gov.