A Veteran of the Army National Guard has become the first permanent employee hired by Los Angeles County through a program designed to give special access to employment and internship opportunities to Veterans.
Created through an August 2006 motion by Supervisors’ Don Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich, the Veterans Internship Program (VIP) is available to local military Veterans who have been honorably discharged. Participants are hired into paid internships in various County departments, lasting up to 24 months, and receive benefits and additional job training throughout their internship. VIP participants are then eligible to compete for permanent County positions.
On May 14, Kunny Yin became the first permanent County employee hired through the Veterans Internship Program when he was appointed an IT Tech Support Analyst II within the Department of the Treasurer and Tax Collector. Mr. Yin is a Long Beach resident and was initially hired into the internship program in December 2007, and once he was hired as a permanent employee earlier this month, he jumped 18 steps on the County pay scale. He served in the Army National Guard for three years, until 2006, and was trained as a computer information analyst.
The program really helped me get my foot in the door towards permanent employment, said Yin. My whole experience throughout the internship was nothing but a good thing.
A total of 50 Veterans have been placed by the VIP Program and are currently working in internships across the County in 10 different departments, including 14 in the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, 13 in the Probation Department, and 11 in the Department of Public Social Services. The County was also honored as Employer of the Year by the California Employer Advisory Council for providing outstanding employment services to Veterans.
Our Veterans have served our nation and sacrificed their lives for our freedom, said Supervisor Antonovich. This program provides our Veterans the opportunity to apply their skills, learn new ones and compete effectively for employment."
The County has jobs available in many areas that require very special skills or training, the same skills or training that Veterans often receive during their service to our nation, said Supervisor Knabe. Matching the wonderful talents of our Veterans, to needs of the County, in the form of a permanent job is a great way to honor the service of our nations Veterans.
Interested Veterans are encouraged to visit http://dhr.lacounty.info or call (213) 738-2175.