By acquiring credentials from programs accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces can demonstrate that they are qualified to succeed within a wide range of civilian professions.
There are currently more than 1.4 million Americans serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The skills and experiences they gain while on active duty transfer well to a wide range of civilian jobs, from construction, to health care, to business management. The best way for veterans to prove their qualification for jobs in the private and public sector is by attaining certifications and credentials within their field through NCCA-accredited programs.
Through the Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) National Certification Program, roughly 80 nationally recognized credentialing bodies administer certification and licensure exams for those in the military, allowing them to gain formal recognition for skills acquired while serving. Several of these organizations are accredited through the NCCA.
"Many military personnel coming into the civilian workforce have developed highly valuable skills within their Military Occupational Specialties," said Melissa Murer Corrigan, President of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. "It can be difficult sometimes for employers to recognize how these skills translate to private sector jobs. Obtaining credentials through NCCA-accredited programs can help our Service men and women gain the recognition they need to be more competitive in the job market."
Despite acquiring many translatable skills while serving, many veterans returning home today struggle to find employment. Recent Department of Labor statistics estimate that the unemployment rate for veterans age 20-24 has been as high as 27 percent. In 2010, unemployment among all veterans who had served at any time since 2001 was 11.5 percent, compared with a national average of 9.4 percent.
The challenges faced by veterans have not gone unnoticed by our nation's lawmakers. Earlier this month, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, introduced The Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, requiring broad job skills training for all Service members returning home. In a May 12 press conference introducing the bill, Senator Murray confirmed her confidence in the ability of American veterans to succeed in civilian jobs.
"For the first time, this bill will require that our Service members get the training they need to translate the skills they learned in the military into the working world," said Senator Murray during her press conference. "It will also provide faster pathways to private sector and federal employment so our veterans aren't left in limbo after they leave the military."
Attaining nationally-recognized professional credentials is critical in helping veterans pursue successful nonmilitary careers, and in helping employees recognize the skills these individuals possess.
"Our nation's veterans are disciplined, they're team players, they've proved that they can deliver," Senator Murray concluded in her May 12 statement. "It's time for us to make sure they have a job and the security that that provides them when they come home."
NCCA-accredited credentialing programs exist to recognize qualified professionals in a wide range of industries. Employers and current or former military personnel interested in learning more about credentials in their field can visit the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, at www.credentialingexcellence.org.
About the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies
Established in 1977, ICE (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance) is the leading international membership organization representing the credentialing community. ICE fulfills its mission through the delivery of education and training programs, in setting quality standards for credentialing, and by providing accreditation services through its accreditation division, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The ICE membership is composed of credentialing organizations, testing companies, and individual professional development consultants. ICE and NCCA are based in Washington, DC. For further information, please visit www.credentialingexcellence.org.
Contacts:
Institute for Credentialing Excellence
Andrew Younger,
+1.312.673.5469
ayounger@credentialingexcellence.org