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Helping veterans find work after hanging up uniforms

Virginia Natural Gas is partnering with TCC to train vets for new careers in the energy industry.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Department of Labor said the unemployment rate for military veterans is 3.7 percent.

The Department of Defense estimates that up to 250,000 enlisted personnel and officers leave the active duty every year.

Here in Hampton Roads, around 10,000 military members get out annually.

After serving their country, the transition back to civilian life isn't always easy for veterans.

"It's very stressful. There's a lot of challenges, a lot of things to think about and it's a little scary," said Navy veteran Joseph Alberto.

He took part in a program from Virginia Natural Gas.

The utility company along with Tidewater Community College have partnered on the Veterans Training Program, an intense one week, 37-hour natural gas tutorial focused on gas pipeline operations and safety. The idea is to align veterans' job skills with the industry's needs.

Today was graduation day for seven vets.

"The class is very helpful in teaching you what you're going to be doing, how you're going to be doing it and just pretty much opening  the door to opportunities that you never thought were out there," said Tesfa Massiah, a Navy veteran, graduate of the program, and now an employee of Virginia Natural Gas.

Allison Foster of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services says vets make great employees.

"They can bring a lot of special skills to an employer that is willing to give them a chance and hire them," she said.

Chris Blow works at the TCC Center for Military Education. He agrees.

"They're used to essentially being on time and working hard, and they're outstanding employees," he said.

VNG President Jim Kibler is sold on vets. 

"The training, the dedication, the service mission, the focus on safety all align with our mission," he said. "And why not bring the folks from the best workforce in America into ours'?"

Virginia Natural Gas Veterans has been named a "V3 Virginia Values Veterans" certified company. The training program is GI Bill-eligible and a Navy Region Mid-Atlantic approved "SkillBridge" program.

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