A National Model for Efficient Workforce Development, Reduced Government Burden, and Stronger Economic Outcomes

ATLANTA, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Veterans Training Empowerment Center (VTEC) , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to military workforce development and an approved U.S. Army Career Skills Program (CSP) provider delivering on-base training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and recognized with Guidestar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, today announced the expansion of the VTEC Fort Gillem National Training Center. This centralized, military-focused workforce hub is designed to support soldiers, veterans, military families, and civilian learners while providing direct, measurable benefits to federal and state agencies.

The Fort Gillem center will provide a unified system for training, credentialing, and placing transitioning service members into high-demand civilian careers. While the existing Fort Benning Command Training Center has successfully supported soldiers, increasing demand from both participants and hiring partners requires expansion. The new Fort Gillem National Training Center will scale training capacity, centralize employer access, reduce government costs, and strengthen national workforce participation, supporting economic and readiness objectives across multiple agencies.

Government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels are invited to visit https://www.100partnersportal.org to learn how they can partner with VTEC, support military workforce development, and access trained, job-ready personnel for their programs and operations.

Unique Insights & Data (Projected Program Outcomes)

The VTEC Fort Gillem National Training Center is structured around outcome-driven workforce targets designed to deliver measurable public value at scale.

Five-Year Workforce & Economic Projections:

10,000 soldiers trained and transitioned into guaranteed civilian employment , averaging 2,000 trained and hired annually
100% training-to-hire placement goal through employer-aligned training pipelines and pre-commitment hiring agreements
95% projected employment retention rate driven by structured onboarding and credential alignment
90% of graduates projected to earn wages at or above market rates for comparable civilian positions
No out-of-pocket cost to participating soldiers, veterans, or military family members
$45 million in direct career and job creation value
$4 billion in projected economic growth generated through wages, workforce participation, reduced unemployment burden, and downstream economic activity
Multi-state program reach , supporting coordinated federal, state, and local workforce initiatives
10 specialized training programs aligned to high-demand sectors, including skilled trades, energy, cybersecurity, infrastructure, logistics, and emerging technologies

These projections are based on VTEC’s existing operational model, employer partnerships, and U.S. Army CSP delivery experience, and are designed to scale proven transition pathways while reducing duplicative government workforce and unemployment costs.

Why the VTEC Fort Gillem National Training Center Benefits Government Agencies

1. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

Reduced Unemployment Claims and Lower Federal Payouts

When transitioning soldiers move directly into civilian employment, they avoid the unemployment gap that often follows separation. This reduces:

Federal unemployment insurance claims
State unemployment payouts
Administrative processing costs
Long-term dependency on workforce assistance programs

Every soldier who transitions into a job instead of unemployment represents direct savings for DOL and state workforce systems.

Strengthened Workforce Participation in Critical Sectors

VTEC produces job-ready workers in industries where the U.S. faces urgent shortages:

Energy and sustainability
Skilled trades
Cybersecurity and IT
Logistics and supply chain
Construction and infrastructure
Robotics, automation, and EV manufacturing

This supports DOL’s national workforce development priorities.

2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Reduced Demand on VA Employment and Transition Programs

By providing training, credentialing, and job placement, VTEC reduces:

Caseloads for VA vocational rehabilitation
Demand for employment counseling
Reliance on long-term transition support services

Improved Veteran Stability and Lower Crisis Risk

Stable employment is one of the strongest predictors of:

Lower homelessness rates
Reduced mental health crisis incidence
Higher long-term family stability

This directly supports VA’s mission and reduces long-term federal costs.

3. U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

Stronger Recruitment and Retention Messaging

A guaranteed civilian pathway strengthens DoD’s ability to recruit and retain talent. Service members are more confident entering the military when they know:

Their service leads to a real career
Their family will be supported
Their transition will be structured and reliable

Reduced Transition Burden on Commands

VTEC absorbs responsibilities that often fall on unit leadership, including:

Credentialing support
Employer coordination
Transition counseling

This allows commands to stay focused on readiness.

4. U.S. Department of Commerce and Economic Development Agencies

A Pipeline of Skilled Workers for High-Growth Industries

VTEC produces job-ready workers in sectors that drive national competitiveness:

Manufacturing
Energy
Technology
Infrastructure
Logistics

This strengthens regional economies and supports federal economic development goals.

5. State Workforce Agencies (Including Georgia DOL)

Lower State Unemployment Burden

When soldiers and veterans move directly into jobs:

State unemployment payouts decrease
Workforce case management drops
State training subsidies are reduced

Higher State and Local Tax Revenue

Employed veterans contribute immediately to:

State income tax
Local sales tax
Property tax through stable housing

This strengthens state budgets without raising taxes.

6. Federal and State Legislators

A HighROI Investment for Constituents

Fort Gillem becomes a national model for:

Efficient use of federal dollars
High-impact workforce development
Veteran and family support
Economic revitalization

It gives legislators a measurable, bipartisan success story tied to jobs, families, and national readiness.

A National Workforce Engine Built by the Military Community

The VTEC Fort Gillem National Training Center is designed to:

Train and credential transitioning soldiers, veterans, Guard, and Reserve
Provide no-cost pathways into high-demand civilian careers
Connect military talent directly with employers
Reduce government burden across multiple agencies
Strengthen economic outcomes at the federal, state, and local levels

This is a system built by the military community, for the military community , with benefits that extend far beyond the installation gates.

From Leadership

“Government agencies carry enormous responsibility for workforce development, economic stability, and veteran support,” said David W. Gallemore , CEO of the Veterans Training Empowerment Center. “The VTEC Fort Gillem National Training Center strengthens every one of those missions. When soldiers transition directly into good jobs, everyone wins — the servicemember, the family, the employer, and the taxpayer.”

About the Veterans Training Empowerment Center (VTEC)The Veterans Training Empowerment Center (VTEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing no cost workforce training and direct job pathways for transitioning soldiers, veterans, National Guard, Reserve members, and their immediate family members. VTEC is also an approved U.S. Army Career Skills Program (CSP) provider, currently delivering on base training at Fort Benning Army Base in Columbus, Georgia. VTEC partners with employers nationwide to deliver scalable workforce solutions built by the military community, for the military community.