More research on veteran employment would show what's good for business and for veterans

"The federal government and the private sector have invested in a range of initiatives to help improve employment opportunities for veterans and to support service members as they conclude their military careers and transition to the civilian workforce. However, the impact of these efforts is unclear. To date, there has been little research on their effectiveness, the experiences of veterans and their employers, or veterans' employment outcomes and satisfaction over the long term. RAND hosted two workshops that brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from federal agencies, private-sector companies, and research organizations, to collaborate and share ideas for improving veterans' employment opportunities and to identify remaining research gaps. Stakeholder discussions revealed the need for a longitudinal study of veterans' civilian career trajectories and the outcomes of subgroups, such as disabled veterans. There is also a shortage of research connecting veterans' participation in specific programs and their career outcomes, limiting the ability to identify and potentially expand or replicate successful efforts. Finally, there are many tools available to veterans who are transitioning to civilian careers, but it is unclear how well they align with veterans' interests and high-demand career fields. Understanding how veterans acquire and use this information would help programs tailor education, training, licensing, and certification processes to meet both veteran and employer needs"--Publisher's description.