Workforce System Success Stories - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

MEET CHARLES...
Cumberland American Job Center helps service-disabled veteran Charles achieve his educational and employment goals.

Charles is a service-connected disabled Combat Infantry Army Soldier who was medically retired. He was referred to the Cumberland American Job Center by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) counselor. Through VR&E’s Workstudy program, the American Job Center hired Charles to assist with the veteran services program. Hiring Charles through the work study program afforded him many opportunities. For example, he could help other veterans with employment need and hone his résumé-writing skills, while being able to pay his mortgage and other life expenses.

Although not easy, Charles attended college as a full-time student while working full-time at the American Job Center. Realizing Charles’ priority was attaining his education, American Job Center management catered a work schedule around his classes. The American Job Center veteran services staff were thankful for the part they played in helping Charles achieve his educational and employment goals. After obtaining his cyber security degree, Charles was ultimately hired with the Department of Homeland Security in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.