REDDING, Calif. — We’re hearing from Northstate veterans about employment after their service.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2024, the annual average unemployment rate for veterans was 3%. In June 2025, the veteran unemployment rate was at 3.7%.
Administrators with RecruitMilitary said a hidden crisis is veteran underemployment.
National Veterans’ Training Institute representatives said in June 2022 that almost one third of veteran job seekers are underemployed, meaning they’re employed less than full time or their positions are not consistent with their experience, training, or economic needs.
Redding Veterans Home resident Michael Van Cleemput told KRCR veterans are useful in the workplace.
“The military trains people, and they’re valuable people,” Van Cleemput said. “They’re committed, and they’re not afraid to be a team member… The team effort, our lives depend on it. And when we come out of the service, we still have that mentality.”
Redding Veterans Home Veterans Service Officer Molly Watson, who is also a veteran, said it can be a struggle to transition to the workforce after service.
Watson utilized an Employment Development Department (EDD) program which offered mock interviews and resume building to help her find a fitting role.
“There’s a lot of skills that come with being a veteran that we have to offer, but sometimes veterans don’t know how to capture that in a resume,” Watson said before adding, “You have a discipline, you have teamwork, you have adversity, the ability to accomplish a mission.”
You can find resources for veterans on the EDD website here.
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