Priority of Service for Covered Persons The Jobs for Veterans Act affords priority of service to covered veterans and eligible spouses over non-covered persons for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services provided under new or existing job training programs funded in whole or in part, by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Am I Eligible? To be eligible for priority of service you must meet the following definition as a Covered Person. The term ‘covered person’ means any of the following individuals: A veteran: A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Eligible spouse: The spouse of any of the following individuals: ​Any veteran who died of a service connected disability; or Any veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability; or Any veteran who died while a disability so evaluated was in existence; or Any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for assistance under this section, is listed, pursuant to section 556 of title 37 and regulations issued by the Secretary concerned, in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days: ​missing in action, or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.​

Priority of Service means the right of eligible, covered persons to take precedence over eligible, non-covered persons in obtaining services. For example, this could mean: The covered person receives access to the service or resource earlier in time than the non-covered person; or If the service or resource is limited, the covered person receives access to the service or resource before the non-covered person.

Below is a list of programs affected by the passage of the Priority of Service for Covered Persons law. This list is not all inclusive, but provides a good idea of the type of programs in which Priority of Service for Covered Persons exists. Before priority of service can be extended to any covered person in these programs, the covered person MUST be qualified to participate in the program. WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Wagner-Peyser Employment Service Trade Act Programs National Emergency Grants Senior Community Service Employment Programs (SCSEP) Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program Indian and Native American Program Job Corps WIOA Demonstration Projects Labor Market Information Grants Career One-Stop Electronic Tools Other Internet-based self-service tools operated by DOL programs

All American Job Center (AJC) staff serve as your Veteran Representatives for employment and training. AJC staff continuously collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies and other veteran service providers and organizations to assist you with career transitioning. Our Business Services Team participate in various special events to bring businesses and veterans together (i.e. job fairs, job developments, apprenticeships) and other unique events. Please identify yourself as a veteran or spouse of a veteran at your American Job Center upon seeking any services. Find an American Job Center

In addition to all American Job Center (AJC) staff being Veteran Representatives, the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development operates two specialized programs throughout Tennessee to assist veterans, eligible persons, and businesses to connect with one another.​ Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP): DVOP specialists are professionally trained to provide exclusive services to meet the employment and training needs of special-disabled veterans, disabled veterans, veterans, and eligible persons. DVOP specialists are actively involved in outreach efforts to increase program awareness and participation among those with the greatest barriers to employment. DVOP specialists provide that customized one-on-one employment service that can include assessments, employment plans, career guidance, referral to supportive services (housing, trainings, connection to job openings, and more). Your AJC Veteran Representative will refer eligible job seekers to the DVOP for additional customized services. Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER): Professionally trained LVERs conduct outreach to the business community and engage in advocacy efforts with hiring executives to increase employment opportunities for veterans, encourage the hiring of disabled veterans, and generally assist veterans to gain and retain employment. LVERs seek out job developments for veterans and eligible persons using their established networks. LVERs conduct seminars for employers and job search workshops for veterans seeking employment, and facilitate priority of service in regard to employment, training, and placement services furnished to veterans by all staff of the American Job Centers.​