Employment & Vocational Training

Veterans First Business Initiative

The Louisiana Veterans First Business Initiative was championed by Governor John Bel Edwards during the 2019 legislative session. It was created to honor the sacrifice that Louisiana veterans have made by recognizing businesses owned by a veteran, active-duty or reserve military, or Gold Star spouse.

The program will allow for veterans, active-duty or reserve military, or Gold Star spouses who have a fifty-one percent ownership in a business to apply for and gain certification to recognize and promote their businesses. In addition, a searchable database is provided for anyone seeking to patronize a veteran, active-duty or reserve military, or Gold Star-spouse business.

VA Work Study Program

This program is available to qualifying Veterans or their dependents who are utilizing VA education benefits and are currently enrolled as full-time students. For more information, please visit: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

• How to Apply

  Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.

USDA Grants: Supporting Veteran Farmers

There are a number of grants available to qualifying Veteran Farmers or Ranchers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, please visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

This program helps Veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs. Certain qualifications apply.

For more information, please visit: www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/

• How to Apply

  Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.

Louisiana State and Federal Civil Service

Louisiana state and city civil service departments award a five to ten-point preference in original appointment to Veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces under certain circumstances. Federal law also grants five and ten-point preference to Veterans who meet certain criteria when they apply for federal jobs.

• How to Apply

  To see current state job openings, please visit: www.civilservice.la.gov or call toll free 1-866-783-5462.

  For more information about Federal openings, please visit www.fedshirevets.gov or call (202) 606-7304.

Louisiana Business and Career Solution Centers

The Louisiana Workforce Commission operates local centers across the state to assist Veterans in finding employment and making career choices, including apprenticeship programs.

• How to Apply

  For more information, please visit: www.laworks.net or call toll free 1-800-259-5154.

Military training towards education/certification credits

Louisiana recognizes that the skills learned during military training can often apply to the civilian workforce. As such, Act 276 of the 2012 Regular Legislative Session states that individuals with military training and experience will be granted civilian professional licensure and/or certification when the Servicemember has been awarded a military occupational specialty and performance in that specialty that is at a level equal to or exceeding the requirements for said license and/or certification. Provisions apply.

Click here to read the official digest for this statute.

Licensing and Certification

Open new doors to employment by getting licensed or certified as a mechanic, medical technician, attorney, or other professional position. Often required for work in certain fields, these tests may be eligible for GI Bill reimbursement. Eligibility requirements apply.

Veteran GI Bill Apprenticeship and OJT Program

Offers an alternative way to use GI Bill education and training benefits. Eligibility requirements apply.

• How to Apply

  Talk to your employer about the application process. They will work with the State Approving Agency on this.