MADE IN AMERICA INITIATIVE
501(c)(3) Program

Veterans Re-Entry
Employment Pathway

V-REP

Preparing justice-involved military veterans — those within 6-18 months of release or currently on probation or parole — for sustainable careers through targeted training, trauma support, and direct employment placement.

Explore the Program
No cost to eligible veterans
Cohort-based • 16–20 weeks
100% of graduates receive job placement support
Partnered with 38 American manufacturers
Priority hiring agreements with defense contractors
CAREER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM

Purpose-Built for Veterans Within 6-18 Months of Release

V-REP prepares military veterans within 6-18 months of release or currently on probation or parole for sustainable employment. The program is specifically designed to overcome the barriers these veterans face: gaps in employment, PTSD and trauma history, limited digital literacy, home instability or homelessness, and lack of certifications or recent job skills.

Our Mission

Remove barriers to meaningful employment for military veterans within 6-18 months of release or on probation/parole. We equip them with the skills, certifications, digital literacy, and trauma support needed to succeed in American manufacturing and skilled trades.

Made in America Alignment

Every participant is trained for roles that strengthen domestic supply chains, support reshoring efforts, and contribute to national economic and defense resilience.

Trauma-Informed Approach

We recognize the compounded impact of military service and incarceration. All programming is delivered with military cultural competency, PTSD awareness, and deep respect for the trauma history many participants carry.

Justice-involved veterans participating in vocational skills training and career readiness through the V-REP program
THE V-REP MODEL

Four Integrated Pillars

Career Readiness

  • Resume & LinkedIn optimization
  • Interview mastery & mock interviews
  • Professional communication & workplace norms
  • Financial literacy for new earners

Vocational Skill Building

  • Welding, CNC machining & fabrication
  • Industrial electrical & mechanical maintenance
  • Advanced manufacturing & quality control
  • OSHA 10/30, forklift, CDL, and digital literacy training
Built-in digital skills + credentials stackable toward apprenticeships

Trauma-Informed Support

  • Individual peer coaching with veteran mentors
  • PTSD-aware wellness groups and mental health navigation
  • Family reintegration and relationship repair support
  • Housing stability coaching + connection to VA benefits & legal aid

Employment Placement

  • Direct employer matchmaking
  • On-site job fairs with American manufacturers
  • 12-month post-placement retention support
  • Wage & benefits negotiation coaching
Average starting wage for graduates: $23.40/hr — many overcoming multi-year employment gaps
EXPANDING CAREER PIPELINES

The Veterans Workforce Development and Training Incubator (VWDTI)

The Veterans Workforce Development and Training Incubator (VWDTI) will leverage Integrity Care Resources' commitment to integrity, service, and community impact by creating career pipelines in healthcare, behavioral health, home care, social services, information technology, logistics, and small business development. The initiative aligns with national workforce development priorities and leading career wisdom.

Career Pipelines
Healthcare
Behavioral Health
Home Care
Social Services
Information Technology
Logistics
Small Business Development
MISSION

To equip veterans and their families with specialized training and strategic career placements that accelerate professional development and maximize their potential for executive leadership and advancement to the highest levels of the career ladder.

VISION

To become the premier veteran-focused workforce development hub that transforms battle-tested military experience into civilian career success while strengthening communities through skilled, purpose-driven leadership.

Key Objectives
1. Increase veteran employment and long-term job retention.
2. Provide industry-recognized credentials and professional certifications.
3. Develop leadership and entrepreneurship abilities.
4. Connect veterans to form networks of colleagues and professional connections in new fields.
5. Support veteran-owned startups and turn brilliant ideas into profitable business ventures.
6. Create strategic partnerships with companies committed to hiring veterans.
7. Improve economic outcomes for military families, spouses, and children.
Core Program Components
The Academy
Resume Development
Interview Preparation
Job Interview Secrets
Professional Communication
Digital Literacy
Financial Literacy
Workplace Leadership
Team Building
Goals
1. Increase veteran employment to 85%+ and achieve 75% long-term retention within 12 months of completion.
2. Equip 100% of participants with at least two industry-recognized credentials or certifications through the Academy.
3. Develop leadership and entrepreneurship abilities in every cohort member, with 30% launching or advancing veteran-owned businesses.
4. Build strong professional networks so each participant gains meaningful connections with at least five colleagues in target industries.
5. Incubate and launch 10+ veteran-owned startups per year by turning innovative ideas into sustainable, profitable ventures.
6. Secure active hiring partnerships with 20+ companies committed to recruiting and retaining veterans.
7. Deliver measurable economic improvements for 80% of participating military families, directly benefiting spouses and children.
Sustainability Plan

The incubator will create long-term sustainability through diversified revenue streams and mission-aligned business models, including:

1. Workforce training contracts with government agencies and employers.
2. Employer-sponsored training programs tailored to specific industry needs.
3. Apprenticeship funding through registered programs and government incentives.
4. Grant funding diversification across federal, state, private foundation, and corporate sources.
5. Fee-for-service workforce solutions, including customized training and placement services.
6. Corporate partnerships that provide both funding and direct hiring pipelines for veterans.
7. Social enterprise initiatives (detailed below).
Social Enterprise Initiatives

Social enterprise initiatives are mission-driven businesses operated by the incubator that generate sustainable revenue while directly advancing veteran employment and community impact. Unlike traditional nonprofits that rely primarily on donations and grants, social enterprises use market-based strategies to create earned income streams.

In the context of VWDTI, this means launching and scaling veteran-led or veteran-supporting ventures such as:

  • A veteran-owned staffing and recruitment agency that places program graduates into roles while reinvesting profits back into training scholarships.
  • Specialized consulting and training services (e.g., military-to-civilian transition workshops sold to corporations) where revenue funds incubator operations.
  • Impact-focused small business ventures in logistics, home care, or IT services that employ veterans and generate ongoing income for the program.

Profits from these enterprises are reinvested to reduce reliance on external funding, create real-world employment opportunities during training, and ensure the incubator can continue serving justice-involved veterans long-term regardless of fluctuations in grant cycles.

Our Ideal (Prospective) Funding Sources

Our vision and for the Veterans Workforce Development and Training Incubator is to gain capital support through a diverse mix of public and private sources, ensuring long-term stability and broad impact:

1. U.S. Department of Labor — Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)
2. Veterans Affairs Community Grants
3. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
4. State Workforce Development Funds
5. Corporate Sponsorships
6. Foundation Grants
7. Philanthropic Contributions
Veterans in welding and skilled trades training
Peer mentors providing trauma-informed support to veterans
New Facility Under Construction

We're building a state-of-the-art facility locally in town to expand our capacity for housing, training, and support services. Learn more about the $48M project and $15M initial ask →

VWDTI builds directly on the V-REP foundation, extending high-impact training and placement opportunities across additional high-demand sectors.
SUPPORTING AMERICAN INDUSTRY

Built for Made in America

V-REP was designed in direct response to the national imperative to rebuild American manufacturing capacity and secure critical supply chains.

Participants train for real jobs that are currently open with U.S. employers who are bringing production back home or expanding domestic operations.

Priority Training Tracks
Advanced Welding & Fabrication
CNC & Precision Machining
Industrial Electrical Systems
Supply Chain & Logistics
Defense Manufacturing
Infrastructure & Construction Trades
Workplace Digital Literacy
Veterans training in American manufacturing and skilled trades as part of V-REP's Made in America focus
WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Who We Serve

V-REP prioritizes military veterans who are within 6-18 months of release from incarceration or are currently on probation or parole. We focus on those facing the specific barriers that make re-entry employment difficult.

U.S. military veterans
All discharge types accepted. We honor service regardless of characterization.
Timing: 6-18 months
Within 6-18 months of release, or actively on probation or parole
Common barriers addressed
Employment gaps • PTSD & trauma history • Limited digital literacy • Housing instability or homelessness • Lack of certifications or recent job skills
Work-authorized & committed
Legally able to work in the U.S. and willing to engage fully in the program
We remove barriers, not create them.
  • No application fee
  • Transportation and digital device support
  • Emergency housing navigation and stability planning
  • Flexible scheduling around court, probation, and parole requirements
  • Direct coordination with parole/probation officers (with your consent)
  • Digital literacy training built into every track
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify anyone. We work with each veteran individually.
YOUR PATH FORWARD

The V-REP Participant Journey

1
Orientation & Barrier Assessment (Week 1–2)

Intake, employment gap analysis, trauma-informed assessment, digital literacy screening, housing status review, individualized career plan, and connection to peer coach and case manager.

2
Career Readiness Intensive (Week 3–5)

Professional skills, financial wellness, interview training, and credential preparation (OSHA, forklift, etc.).

3
Vocational Training Track (Week 6–14)

Hands-on training at partner facilities or our training center. Earn industry-recognized certifications.

4
Job Placement & Transition (Week 15–18)

Employer interviews, job offers, and onboarding support. Family transition planning.

5
12-Month Retention Support

Ongoing coaching, peer check-ins, crisis support, and advancement planning to ensure long-term success.

Uncle Sam needs us!

Real results for veterans and American industry

V-REP graduates and staff celebrating successful employment placement in American industry
Program outcomes from 2024 cohorts. View full impact report.
FROM OUR GRADUATES

Veterans overcoming barriers to rebuild their lives

Marcus R., U.S. Army
V-REP Graduate • Class of 2024

"After my discharge and a rough couple of years, I didn’t think anyone would give me a chance. V-REP trained me in CNC machining. I’m now a machinist at a company making parts for American fighter jets. First time in years I feel proud of what I do."

Now earning $28/hr + benefits
Sgt. (Ret.) Dana K., U.S. Marine Corps
V-REP Graduate • Class of 2023

"The program didn’t just teach me a trade — they helped me deal with the things I was carrying. My coach was also a veteran. I’m now a supervisor at a domestic steel fabrication plant and mentoring the next group of V-REP participants."

Promoted twice in 18 months
Javier M., U.S. Navy
V-REP Graduate • Class of 2024

"I had a felony on my record from before I enlisted. Most places wouldn’t even talk to me. V-REP got me into an apprenticeship program with a company that builds rail equipment right here in Ohio. They stood by me the whole way."

Now a full apprentice with union benefits
FOR EMPLOYERS

Hire trained, mission-driven veterans

American manufacturers and defense suppliers are facing critical talent shortages. V-REP delivers pre-screened, trained, and supported candidates who are ready to contribute on day one.

Custom training tracks aligned to your exact needs
12-month retention coaching included
Tax credits & federal hiring incentives guidance
Direct access to a pipeline of justice-involved veterans
Information and Resources:
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• U.S. Department of Labor
• Small Business Administration
• State and Local Programs and Workforce Boards
• UMass Veteran Services
• Community Colleges
• Veteran Service Organizations
• Healthcare Employers
• And many more partners
Contact Us to Become a Partner

Ready to start your next mission?

V-REP is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2026 cohort. Space is limited.

Speak with a Navigator
Questions? Call (213) 200-8532 or email vrep@integritycareresources.org