Each year, nearly 200,000 U.S. service members transition to civilian life, facing challenges in housing, finances, health, relationships, and employment. While veterans bring highly valuable skills from military training, translating these into civilian-friendly language can be difficult, often resulting in underemployment. Among post-9/11 veterans, about 60% reported underemployment 6½ years after leaving the military.
This presentation summarizes a program evaluation at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, exploring solutions to veteran underemployment. We will cover skills-based hiring, which emphasizes applicants’ skills and experiences over traditional credentials, with digital badges as a key tool. The session will include an interactive discussion on implementation challenges, verification, and next steps for the project.
About the Speakers
Daniel F. Perkins is the principal scientist and founder of the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness and a Professor at Penn State University. His work promotes the well-being of military service members, veterans, and their families through research, teaching, and community programs. He leads initiatives like PROSPER and the Veteran Metrics Initiative, focusing on evidence-based interventions, implementation science, and community collaboration.
Maria Kurth is an assistant research professor at the Clearinghouse. She earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University and her B.S. in Psychology from Western Illinois University. Her research focuses on healthy aging and the long-term effects of military service. At the Clearinghouse, she evaluates digital credential and employment programs that support veterans and military families.
