For veterans without degrees, certificates or certifications improves the chances of employment and brings better earnings, a new survey conducted by Strada Education Network and Lumina Foundation found.
After surveying 30,000 U.S. veterans for the report, “Veterans Without Degrees: The Benefits and Opportunities of Certificates and Certifications”, the researchers found that among adults without degrees, veterans are about 60 percent more likely than non-veterans to have a certificate or certification.
They are also about 40 percent more likely to have such a credential than are their female peers.
Such credentials are reaping them good financial returns with average earning of $10,000 more per annum than their peers with no postsecondary credential. The highest income premiums are found in the security and engineering fields while the earning in administrative, healthcare, or education-related jobs remains almost the same.
“We do a disservice to our nation’s veterans when we fail to credential their military-based learning so it can be immediately recognized and valued when they complete their military service,” said Dave Clayton, Senior Vice President of Consumer Insights at Strada Education Network.
As compared to the general population, most of the veterans expressed satisfaction with their current education level. About 37 percent of them feel a need to earn postsecondary degrees for career advancement.
The report recommended making some of the military training credentialed while in service, ensuring that all learning and career-relevant skills count and competencies should be transparent and transferable.
“The findings underscore the importance of these credentials,” said Courtney Brown, Vice President of Strategic Impact at Lumina Foundation.
“And provide an opportunity for educational institutions, employers, and policymakers to work together to create better systems that help veterans obtain and develop stackable, transparent credentials that lead to strong employment outcomes,” Brown adds.