New disabled veterans training project rolled out at Crane

State and federal organizations gathered Tuesday to officially announced the start of a new program to provide employment and workforce training and education to Hoosier veterans with disabilities through the new Crane Learning & Employment Center for Veterans with Disabilities (CLEC).

"CLEC is the first comprehensive program of its kind in the United States to help veterans with disabilities re-enter the workforce," says CLEC Program Director Jim Schonberger.

The head of the state's Workforce Development programs says the new program removes many of the obstacles facing veterans who return from combat areas.

"We must be successful in removing any and all obstacles that our returning veterans face, and efficiently and effectively provide these veterans with the education and support programs they need to be successful in the work place," said Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Teresa L. Voors. "The CLEC program can do exactly that and is a viable component of our overall workforce strategy and our goal of putting all Hoosiers to work."

State and local officials gathered at EG&G Technical Services in the WestGate at Crane Technology Park Tuesday afternoon to sign a 'Memoranda of Understanding' that officially launches the new program and outlines the roles of individual partnering organizations with the CLEC program.

The project commenced as an 18-month pilot project in the fall of 2007.

The CLEC administrative staff is co-located with EG&G Technical Services Inc, in their facility in the WestGate at Crane Technology Park.

Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, speaking at the ribbon-cutting for EG & G's new office facility last September for the first completed building that is part of the tri-county tech park, announced a $400,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Work Force Development to start up the training program. She also said Lilly Endowment is contributing $400,000 in a matching grant to the project that will be housed in the EG & G building.

"We are creating an entirely new generation of Hoosier veterans, but now there is going to be a new Crane learning and employment center for veterans with disabilities and it will be here." Skillman said.

She explained that the new center will provide the participating veterans with paid, on-the-job training and customized post-secondary education.

Upon successful completion, each veteran will be offered a permanent job at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane.

Crane Technology, Inc. (CTI), based in Bloomington, manages the center.

The center will facilitate access to comprehensive services including medical care, housing, transportation, workforce education, supported living, and supported employment.

Fifteen to 20 initial participants will take part in the pilot program, which received financial support from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

"Too many disabled veteran's fall through the cracks in our country's training systems and are forced to navigate the bureaucracy for the most part on their own. The pilot program focuses on returning veterans from the current conflict and will help ease them back into civilian society through workforce training and job placement," according to Schonberger.

He added, "CLEC is the result of many organizations working together to close gaps in meeting the needs of returning U.S. combat troops.

CLEC is the result of many organizations working together to close gaps in meeting the needs of returning U. S. combat troops, Schonberger said.

Among Crane Technology, Inc.'s partnering organizations are:

*Naval Support Activity Crane/Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane

*U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs -- Indianapolis Regional Office

*Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs

*Indiana Department of Workforce Development

*Vincennes University

*Ivy Tech Community College

*Family and Social Services Administration/ Bureau of Rehabilitation Services

*U.S. Department of Labor -- Veterans Education and Training Service

*Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center

*Indiana Economic Growth Region 8 Workforce Board.