Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and as part of its duties, requires it to increase awareness regarding professional licensing benefits available to veterans and their spouses. Existing law requires CalVet, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, to post information and resources regarding licensing benefits on their respective internet websites.

This bill would require CalVet CalVet, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to create and advertise an internet website, as specified, that matches veterans and their military skills and training with an employer, as provided.

Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and as part of its duties, requires it to increase awareness regarding professional licensing benefits available to veterans and their spouses. Existing law requires CalVet, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, to post information and resources regarding licensing benefits on their respective internet websites.

This bill would require CalVet to create and advertise an internet website, as specified, that matches retired veterans and their military skills and training with an employer, as provided.

Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to, subject to rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education, establish and maintain a school safety patrol in any of the schools of the school district for the purpose of assisting school pupils in safely crossing streets and highways adjacent to or near the school.

This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that provision.

Date of Hearing: July 2, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 914

Author:(Umberg) – As Amended Ver:May 16, 2024

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to create an internet website to match job-seeking veterans with potential employers.

Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires CalVet, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to create an internet website that allows government entities and private employers to post job openings for veterans.
2. Requires CalVet to create and maintain a matching portal on the internet website where veterans can apply to be matched into certain technical careers.
3. Requires the internet website to include employment openings for positions in the automotive, maritime, and trades sectors, with the intention of matching a veteran’s military training and skills with a job posted on the internet website.
4. Requires CalVet to advertise the internet website to veterans and private industry employers at local veteran resource centers.

FISCAL EFFECT:

CalVet estimates onetime General Fund (GF) costs of approximately $5.1 million and ongoing GF costs of approximately $4.5 million annually to support the development and maintenance of the website. CalVet indicates the requirement in this bill would be a new program at CalVet and the department does not have existing resources for such a program. These costs would be incurred only upon appropriation by the Legislature.

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the General Fund faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years. 

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. The author seeks to create and advertise an internet website that matches veterans and their military skills and training with an employer in need. According to the author:

Employers who see the value in hiring veterans often struggle to slot veterans into careers and job openings. It can also be difficult for veterans to translate their military skills and duties into civilians’ terms for resumes and job applications. The state must enhance its initiatives and programs to effectively prepare veterans during the significant transition between service and civilian life. Under [this bill], the CalVet website will be a comprehensive resource, and provide clear support for veterans seeking employment during their career transitions.

1. Background. Existing law requires CalVet, to increase awareness regarding professional licensing benefits available to veterans and their spouses, and specifically requires CalVet, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, to post information and resources regarding licensing benefits on it internet website. In addition, CalVet’s website contains numerous links to state and federal sites providing resources for veterans seeking employment, including state and federal employment assistance programs, veterans preference programs, How-to-Get-a-State-Job tutorials, veteran-specific job sites, local job fairs, and more. The CalVet website also includes resources for veteran employers.

Work for Warriors (WFW) is a state and federally funded free job placement program that provides direct placement job services to help unemployed and underemployed military service members, veterans, their families, and youth academy graduates find civilian employment in their region of the state. Established in 2012, in the California Military Department, the charter mission of WFW was to reduce unemployment in the California National Guard by 25% by June 2013. When this was accomplished, the program expanded to serve all veterans and their spouses throughout California. WFW receives $1.3 million in federal grant money each year from the Department of Defense. The federal money pays for 13 contractors who work alongside WFW’s military staff. WFW received $670,000 in ongoing state General Fund funding and six permanent positions in the 2019-20 state budget. WFW has more than 1,000 private and public organization partners, and dozens of non-profit partners such as The Gary Sinise Foundation and Veteran Service Organizations. WFW is not a web-based program. Instead, each business partner and veteran is communicated with personally and candidates are individually prepped and positioned to succeed during the job application and interview process.

WFW is fully integrated with the CalVET Transition Assistance Program, and works closely with the Employment Development Department (EDD) to ensure veterans find and succeed in civilian careers.

EDD also maintains the CalJOBS website, California’s online employment service platform designed to connect all job seekers, not only veterans, with potential employers in California. It serves as a comprehensive database where users can search for job opportunities, post resumes, and access various career resources such as education, training programs, and tips for success.

This bill requires CalVet to create an internet website that allows government entities and private employers to post job openings for veterans and where veterans can apply to be matched with certain technical careers.

1. Related Legislation. AB 930 (Irwin), of the 2015-16 Legislative Session, would have codified the WFW program. AB 930 died on the Senate Inactive File.

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: June 25, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Pilar Schiavo, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 914

Author:(Umberg) – As Amended Ver:May 16, 2024

SENATE VOTE: 38-0

SUBJECT: Veterans: employment

SUMMARY: Requires upon appropriation that the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) create and maintain an internet website for matching veterans looking for work with prospective employers. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires CalVet, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to create an internet website that allows government entities and private employers to post job openings for veterans.
2. Requires CalVet to create and maintain a matching portal on the internet website where veterans can apply to be matched into certain technical careers.
3. Requires the internet website to include employment openings for positions in the automotive, maritime, and trades sectors, with the intention of matching a veteran’s military training and skills with a job posted on the internet website.
4. Requires CalVet to advertise the internet website to veterans and private industry employers at local veteran resource centers.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes CalVet and as part of its duties, requires it to increase awareness regarding professional licensing benefits available to veterans and their spouses.
2. Requires CalVet, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, to post information and resources regarding licensing benefits on their respective internet websites.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the bill’s requirement for CalVet to establish the internet website contingent upon an appropriation results in General Fund cost pressures of approximately $4.5 million each year to support the development of the website.

COMMENTS: The purpose of this bill is to require CalVet to take an active role in veterans’ employment by operating a website to match veterans looking for jobs with employers seeking to hire them.

According to the author:

“According to the Pew Research Center, only one in four U.S. veterans has a job lined up after leaving the armed forces. Veterans often cite a lack of resources, underemployment, and not having a four-year college degree as obstacles that prevent them from full employment. Employers who see the value in hiring veterans often struggle to slot veterans into careers and job openings. It can also be difficult for veterans to translate their military skills and duties into civilians’ terms for resumes and job applications. The state must enhance its initiatives and programs to effectively prepare veterans during the significant transition between service and civilian life. Therefore, SB 914 will create and maintain a portal on the CalVet website with the intention of matching a veteran’s military training and skills with jobs posted on the website. Also, the department will actively advertise the website to veterans and private industry employers at local veteran resource centers. Under SB 914, the CalVet website will be a comprehensive resource, and provide clear support for veterans seeking employment during their career transitions.”

Work for Warriors

The Work For Warriors (WFW) program was established in 2012 with a $500,000 grant from the California State Speaker of the Assembly. The charter mission of the WFW program was to reduce unemployment in the California National Guard (CNG) by 25% by June 2013. When this goal was accomplished, the WFW program expanded to serve all veterans and their spouses throughout California.

WFW receives $1.3M in federal grant money each year from the Department of Defense. The federal money pays for 13 contractors who work alongside WFW’s military staff. WFW received permanent state baseline funding of $670K (GF) and six Permanent PYs in the 2019-20 state budget.

WFW has more than 1,000 private and public organization partners, including Starbucks, Tesla, Google, Pride Industries, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, USDA Forest Service, Apple, Salesforce, Booz Hamilton, Cedars Sinai, Volt Staffing, Comcast, Southwest Airlines, NASA, and Amazon. Additionally, WFW has partnered with dozens of non-profits such as The Gary Sinise Foundation and Veteran Service Organizations.

The WFW program is fully integrated with the CalVET Transition Assistance Program, and works closely with the Employment Development Department (EDD) to ensure a whole government approach to ensuring veterans find and succeed in civilian careers.

WFW does not work through the use of a database website. The program uses a civilian “headhunter” business model rather than a job fair or website based employment assistance method. Each business partner and veteran is communicated with and managed personally, like a business client. Candidates are aligned with the right job from a pool of hundreds of positions given to WFW by business partners and individually prepped and positioned to succeed during the job application and interviewing process.

California’s WFW employment program deploys Expeditionary Employment Service Teams to austere environments on short notice to assist Californians affected by natural disasters, helping in recovery efforts. For example, WFW staff deployed to Chico from November 19 – December 20, 2018 during the Camp fire and used their extensive network of employers to assist victims of the disaster find new employment.

Because WFW does not operate a website, and because it is a dual state-federal program, among other reasons, it is not strictly duplicative of the program posed by this bill.

The Internet

Establishing and maintaining a state website matching employers with job candidates is a little more complicated than it may sound. CalVet would be in possession of personal identification information, passwords – which could potentially be used in combination with emails to access more sensitive sites – and would have a responsibility to vet employers and monitor listings.

The Employment Development Department (EDD) maintains such a website: CalJOBS. CalJOBS is the state of California’s online job search system. It is an online employment service platform designed to connect job seekers with potential employers in California. It serves as a comprehensive database where users can search for job opportunities, post resumes, and access various career resources such as education, training programs, and tips for success. EDD confirms that responsibility for so-called Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is a critical component of operating such a website. That information includes names, addresses, social security numbers, and employment histories, and its collection and custodial responsibility is governed by strict privacy regulations and data protection standards to prevent unauthorized access and misuse of personal information.

The CalJOBS platform employs multiple layers of security measures, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, Web Application Firewalls, scheduled system security maintenance, and compliance with state and federal data protection laws. Rigorous information security also requires continuous maintenance, update and improvement. The state has recently made substantial investments in the CalJOBS platform, including a modernization effort currently underway. EDD says staffing the site requires a team of IT professionals, cybersecurity experts, and customer support personnel who ensure the platform's smooth operation, address technical issues, and provide assistance to users. Other aspects of staffing include training programs to keep the staff updated on the latest technologies and best practices in data security and user support.

Veteran unemployment

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in comparison to nonveteran men and women, the unemployment rate in 2023 for veteran men (2.7 percent) was lower than their nonveteran counterparts, while the rate for veteran women (3.2) was little different from that of their nonveteran counterparts. According to CMD, there are 40,000 unemployed veterans in the state, and about 603,200 who are not part of the labor force, which BLS defines as people who are neither working nor looking for work.

Related legislation

AB 930 (Irwin) of 2015 would have codified the authorization for the WFW program, which provides direct placement job services to unemployed and underemployed military service members, veterans, graduates of state military youth programs, military families, and other related populations in California. Died on the Senate inactive file.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California New Car Dealers Association

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Christian Burkin / M. & V.A. / (916) 319-3550

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 914

Author: Umberg (D)

Amended: 5/16/24

Vote: 21

SENATE MILITARY & VETERANS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 4/22/24

AYES: Archuleta, Grove, Alvarado-Gil, Menjivar, Umberg

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/16/24

AYES: Caballero, Jones, Ashby, Becker, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab

SUBJECT: Veterans: employment

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and as part of its duties, requires it to increase awareness regarding professional licensing benefits available to veterans and their spouses. Existing law requires CalVet, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, to post information and resources regarding licensing benefits on their respective internet websites.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes CalVet and as part of its duties, requires it to increase awareness regarding professional licensing benefits available to veterans and their spouses.
2. Requires CalVet, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, to post information and resources regarding licensing benefits on their respective internet websites.

This bill:

1. Requires CalVet to create an internet website that allows government entities and private employers to post job openings for retired veterans.
2. Requires CalVet to create and maintain a matching portal on the internet website where veterans can apply to be matched into certain technical careers.
3. Requires the internet website to include employment openings for positions in the automotive, maritime, and trades sectors, with the intention of matching a veteran’s military training and skills with a job posted on the internet website.
4. Requires CalVet to advertise the internet website to veterans and private industry employers at local veteran resource centers.

BACKGROUND

According to the Pew Research Center, only one in four U.S. veterans has a job lined up after leaving the armed forces. Veterans often cite a lack of resources, underemployment, and not having a four-year college degree as obstacles that prevent them from full employment. Military personnel are often cross-trained in multiple skills and have experience in varied tasks and responsibilities. Employers who see the value in hiring veterans often struggle to slot veterans into careers and job openings. It can also be difficult for veterans to translate their military skills and duties into civilians’ terms for resumes and job applications.

COMMENT

This bill requires CalVet to create and maintain a portal on the CalVet website with the intention of matching a veteran’s military training and skills with jobs posted on the website. There exists a portal on the website military.com/mst/nature-conservancy/mos-translator which matches general military experience with open jobs nationwide.

In February 2012, the California Military Department worked with the Speaker of the Assembly, John A. Perez, to tackle the unemployment rate of their service members. Their efforts lead to the creation of the Work for Warriors, a job placement program which assists all service members, veterans, their families, and youth academy graduates. Work for Warriors employs Veteran Staffing Consultants to guide the person through the hiring process and match them with active business partnerships in a variety of experiences and backgrounds.

From the Work for Warriors Website:

A team of 16 Service Members and Veterans operate Work for Warriors. They match the skill sets of our highly qualified Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses with the needs of civilian employers. Businesses who want to hire experienced Service Members will only have to contact our Veteran Staffing Consultants, who serve as the single point of contact for their employment needs.

Candidate Process:

1. Contact Work for Warriors (WFW).
2. WFW will match candidates with the skills and requirements of the desired, open position/s.
3. WFW will critique and develop candidates’ resumes.
4. WFW will assist with interview preparation.
5. WFW will continue to assist and conduct follow up throughout the process.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

The bill’s requirement for CalVet to establish the internet website would be contingent upon an appropriation, resulting in General Fund cost pressures of approximately $4.5 million each year to support the development of the website.

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/16/24)

New Car Dealers Association

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/16/24)

None received

Prepared by: Jenny Callison / M.&V.A. / (916) 651-1503

5/18/24 12:26:50

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

SB 914 (Umberg) - Veterans: employment

Bill Summary:

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to establish an internet website that matches veterans and their military skills and training with certain technical careers, as specified.

*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********

The following information is revised to reflect amendments

adopted by the committee on May 16, 2024

Fiscal Impact:

The bill’s requirement for CalVet to establish the internet website would be contingent upon an appropriation, resulting in General Fund cost pressures of approximately $4.5 million each year to support the development of the website.

Committee Amendments:

Make the bill’s requirements contingent upon an appropriation.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

SB 914 (Umberg) - Veterans: employment

Bill Summary:

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to establish an internet website that matches veterans and their military skills and training with certain technical careers, as specified.

Fiscal Impact:

The CalVet estimates one-time costs of $600,000 and ongoing costs of approximately $4.5 million and 21.0 new positions to comply with the bill’s requirements. (General Fund)

Background:

Existing law requires CalVet, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, to post information and resources regarding licensing benefits on their respective internet websites. In February 2012, CalVet worked with Assembly Speaker John A. Perez to tackle the unemployment rate of their servicemembers which lead to the creation of the Work for Warriors, a job placement program which assists all servicemembers, veterans, their families, and youth academy graduates. The program employs Veteran Staffing Consultants to guide candidates through the hiring process and match them with active business partnerships in a variety of experiences and backgrounds. A team of 16 Service Members and Veterans operate Work for Warriors.

Proposed Law:

This bill requires CalVet to create an internet website that allows government entities and private employers to post job openings for veterans.

This bill also requires CalVet to create and maintain a matching portal on the internet website where veterans can apply to be matched into certain technical careers. The internet website shall include employment openings for positions in the automotive, maritime, and trades sectors, with the intention of matching a veteran’s military training and skills with a job posted on the internet website.

This bill requires CalVet to advertise the internet website to veterans and private industry employers at local veteran resource centers.

Staff Comments:

This bill is intended to create employment opportunities for veterans by requiring CalVet to establish an internet website with a matching portal where veterans can apply to be matched with employers tailored to their skillsets. The CalVet estimates one-time General Fund costs of $600,000 for external consulting services for a system integrator, and ongoing costs of approximately $4.5 million and 21.0 new positions to support the development of the website. This estimate assumes in-house development of the technology solution and hosting by Amazon Web Services, and also includes HR staffing positions.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Senator Bob Archuleta, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: SB 914 Hearing Date: 4/22/24

Subject: Veterans: employment

DESCRIPTION

Summary:

Requires the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to create and advertise an internet website that matches retired veterans and their military skills and training with an employer.

Existing law:

1. Establishes CalVet and as part of its duties, requires it to increase awareness regarding professional licensing benefits available to veterans and their spouses.
2. Requires CalVet, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, to post information and resources regarding licensing benefits on their respective internet websites.

This bill:

1. Requires CalVet to create an internet website that allows government entities and private employers to post job openings for retired veterans.
2. Requires CalVet to create and maintain a matching portal on the internet website where veterans can apply to be matched into certain technical careers.
3. Requires the internet website to include employment openings for positions in the automotive, maritime, and trades sectors, with the intention of matching a veteran’s military training and skills with a job posted on the internet website.
4. Requires CalVet to advertise the internet website to veterans and private industry employers at local veteran resource centers.

BACKGROUND

According to the Pew Research Center, only one in four U.S. veterans has a job lined up after leaving the armed forces. Veterans often cite a lack of resources, underemployment, and not having a four-year college degree as obstacles that prevent them from full employment. Military personnel are often cross-trained in multiple skills and have experience in varied tasks and responsibilities. Employers who see the value in hiring veterans often struggle to slot veterans into careers and job openings. It can also be difficult for veterans to translate their military skills and duties into civilians’ terms for resumes and job applications.

COMMENT

This bill requires CalVet to create and maintain a portal on the CalVet website with the intention of matching a veteran’s military training and skills with jobs posted on the website. There exists a portal on the website military.com/mst/nature-conservancy/mos-translator which matches general military experience with open jobs nationwide.

In February 2012, the California Military Department worked with the Speaker of the Assembly, John A. Perez, to tackle the unemployment rate of their servicemembers. Their efforts lead to the creation of the Work for Warriors, a job placement program which assists all servicemembers, veterans, their families, and youth academy graduates. Work for Warriors employs Veteran Staffing Consultants to guide the person through the hiring process and match them with active business partnerships in a variety of experiences and backgrounds.

From the Work for Warriors Website:

A team of 16 Service Members and Veterans operate Work for Warriors. They match the skill sets of our highly qualified Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses with the needs of civilian employers. Businesses who want to hire experienced Service Members will only have to contact our Veteran Staffing Consultants, who serve as the single point of contact for their employment needs.

Candidate Process

1. Contact Work for Warriors (WFW).
2. WFW will match candidates with the skills and requirements of the desired, open position/s.
3. WFW will critique and develop candidates’ resumes.
4. WFW will assist with interview preparation.
5. WFW will continue to assist and conduct follow up throughout the process.

Committee Amendments – remove the adjective “retired” to include all veterans.

POSITIONS

Sponsor: Author.

Support: California New Car Dealers Association.

Oppose: None on File.

-- END --