The new law designates Florida Veterans as the primary employment resource for veterans

TAMPA, Fla. – Florida has one of the largest veteran populations in the country.

When service members leave the military, they may face various challenges in trying to re-enter the workforce and look for work.

“There are a number of different resources that are given to you to set you up for success in that post-military career, you know, but part of that challenge is that it’s almost an information overload,” Alan Suskey. , and board member for the Florida Board of Veterans Affairs and Executive Vice President of Shumaker Advisors said.

A new law in Florida aims to help veterans start their own businesses and gain job training in a number of fast-growing fields.

House Bill 1329 was signed into law. It designates Veterans Florida as the starting point of military transition assistance for veterans and their families.

“This is job training,” Suskey said. “This is training for entrepreneurship. And now, this legislation allows us to continue to help the spouses of those military members as they move.”

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Veterans Florida offers training programs, courses and job resources for veterans and their families in Florida or moving to Florida.

The nonprofit works with other organizations such as the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to serve as a primary conduit for employment services for veterans and their families.

Troy Underwood owns Tampa Steel and Supply. He took over the company a few years ago, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and navigated the challenges the pandemic brought to businesses across the country.

“Once you buy the business, it’s different from running a business to owning the business,” Underwood said.

Underwood grew up in a military family and served in the Army Reserve herself, and says there weren’t always resources for veterans and their families.

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“When you go out, you’re not sure which way you’re going to go,” Underwood said. “You may have some ideas, but you’ve been so focused on your mission, your role and your job. This retirement or that departure comes too soon.”

Underwood says he and his wife took an entrepreneurship course through Florida Veterans, which helped give them the training and guidance to build their business.

Suskey says they also offer training programs for a number of key job fields in Florida.

“Aerospace, manufacturing, agriculture,” Suskey said. “All these different areas where we’re seeing an explosion and the need to fill those positions.”

The new law aims to connect veterans and their families with a smoother pipeline of employment resources as it tries to keep up with the demand for a larger workforce around Florida.

“The one thing we all have in common is the military. And we’re both always focused on the mission,” Underwood said.

To find more information about Florida Veterans and access resources, click here.

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