TALLAHASSEE Veterans Florida, a state-created nonprofit organization that helps military veterans transition to civilian life, is adding another tool to its toolbox.
In the meantime, the organization is waiting for action from the Florida Legislature that would make it the state s principal assistance organization in the federal Department of Defense SkillBridge program, which has the same goals.
Locally at the present time, SkillBridge services are offered through CareerSource Okaloosa, which offers an array of employment services that gives priority to veterans needs.
SkillBridge, established in 2014, allows transitioning service members during the final 180 days of their military service to work as an apprentice, intern or fellow at a private or public employer while maintaining their military salary and benefits. The goal is to ease veterans into a new civilian career, and the employer does not have to pay the separating military member while he or she is receiving th