Virginia Department of Transportation's Wounded Veterans Internship Program

05/05/2008 - The Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Wounded Veterans Internship Program was launched in September 2006. It is designed for veterans who find they are not suited physically or emotionally to a former job, or because the job is no longer available.

The Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Wounded Veterans Internship Program was launched in September 2006. The first veterans joined the agency in March of the following year.

The program is designed for veterans who find they are not suited physically or emotionally to a former job, or because the job is no longer available.

It allows veterans to revamp old job skills or develop new ones. VDOT attempts to locate the internships close to where the veterans are receiving rehabilitation or now live.

The program is the only one of its kind among departments of transportation across the country. It is expected to serve as a model for other states.

The Federal Highway Administration is providing grant money and is partnering with VDOT in the program.

Wounds can be physical or psychological. The internship is expected to serve primarily veterans of U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, but is not limited to veterans of those operations.

A number of veteran service-related organizations are working with VDOT in implementing the program.

Internships last from six months to two years, depending on the needs of the veterans and the VDOT office where they are placed. Veterans are compensated at an hourly rate determined by the skill sets involved and the particular position.

Placement depends upon the veteran's aptitudes and interests, and could be in an area such as:

* Planning
* Finance
* Project management
* Security
* Procurement
* Quality control
* Information systems
* Engineering

Veterans in the program can compete for full-time VDOT jobs, or they can be introduced to jobs in the private sector or another government agency.

Source: DOD