How does VA Vocational Rehabilitation job placement work?

I've got a family member who's a veteran, and we're curious about the VA Vocational Rehabilitation program. How does job placement through this program work, and is it something high schoolers can consider if they're planning to join the military and use these benefits later?

VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) is a program specifically designed for veterans to help them find suitable employment and achieve their career goals. It offers a plethora of services, including comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment, vocational counseling and planning, job-seeking skills coaching, assistance finding and keeping a job, and independent living services for veterans with severe disabilities.

So, how does job placement work in this program? Essentially, this program provides personalized counseling and support to help the veterans identify their job interests and capabilities. Following identification of these goals, vocational counselors assist veterans in preparing for, finding, and maintaining suitable jobs. This may include on-the-job training, apprenticeships, non-paid work experiences, and post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical, or business school.

However, it's important to clarify that this program is specifically aimed at military veterans who are already discharged from service. Recent high school graduates or people intending to join the military cannot start using these benefits until they have served and have been discharged.

As potential future veterans, high school students considering the military can have confidence in the support options that will be available to them post-service. If they do serve and later qualify for the benefits, the VA VR&E could be a very valuable resource for their transition to civilian employment. Prior military experience, coupled with the guidance provided through this program, often equips them with unique skills that are highly valued in the job market.