Georgia Tech’s Veterans Training and Transition Program was recently awarded the 2017 Programs for Special Populations Award by the University Professional & Continuing Education Association at the South Region Conference’s annual meeting in Richmond, Va. VET2 is a four-week program that ties professional education with job experience by partnering active, transitioning and recently separated service members with an employer to receive classroom and online instruction.

“As the congressman for Georgia’s 1st district, which is home to four military bases, I am always impressed with programs that can assist our transitioning service members as they move to the civilian workforce,” said U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter. “This invaluable initiative helps returning veterans translate military values into a successful civilian career and support those looking to make Georgia their home. Anything we do for our veterans is special, but helping them find employment after leaving the service is especially helpful for both them and us.”

The UPCEA award is given to a program developed within the past two years that identifies and targets specific groups with unique needs, such as elderly, young, rural, urban, minorities, disabled or military. Since the VET2 program began in 2014, 95 percent of participants have completed the program, the employment rate is above 87 percent, and the hourly wage of students completing the program is $26 per hour.

“Veterans face a higher unemployment rate for a number of reasons, including higher disability rates, a lack of civilian work experience and obstacles for transitioning veterans,” said James Wilburn, military academic program director for Georgia Tech Professional Education. “That’s precisely why we started this program to translate military values into a successful civilian career. Having UPCEA recognize our program validates our hard work.”