August Job Report, SkillBridge and WOTC
August Job Report, SkillBridge and WOTC
Hiring a Veteran isn't charity. It's a competitive decision, and the latest numbers show it.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' August jobs report, released September 4, put the veteran unemployment rate at 3.4%. For nonveterans it was 4.2%. (Both figures are not seasonally adjusted.)
What that means for employers: experienced military talent is getting hired. If you're not actively recruiting it, your competitors are.
Two things every hiring manager should know right now:
DoD SkillBridge. A service member can spend up to their final 180 days of service training inside your organization. The Department of Defense pays their salary and benefits, so it costs you nothing. It's a chance to see how someone performs on the job before you make an offer.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) lapsed. The IRS says the credit covers workers who began work on or before December 31, 2025, and Congress hasn't renewed it. Some tax professionals are advising employers to keep screening and filing for 2026 hires in case Congress renews it retroactively. Talk to your tax advisor before you count on it.
Military Grade Solutions is a veteran-owned firm based in Pittsburgh. We help employers get results from military talent: SkillBridge program administration, translating military job codes (MOS) into civilian roles, recruiting on military bases, and Military Friendly® designation consulting.
EMPLOYERS: Build your veteran hiring pipeline → militarygradesolutions.com TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS, GUARD & RESERVE, AND MILITARY SPOUSES: Your next mission starts here → militarygradesolutions.com
Mission Ready. Workforce Ready.
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Sources:
BLS, The Employment Situation — August 2026 (released Sept. 4, 2026)
BLS, Table A-5: Employment status by veteran status, not seasonally adjusted: veterans 18+ at 3.4%, nonveterans 18+ at 4.2% (August 2026)
IVMF at Syracuse University, "The Employment Situation of Veterans: August 2026", which cross-checks the 3.4% figure
DoD SkillBridge, Industry/Employers page: "up to the final 180-days of service"; "DoD pays Service member salary and benefits"; "at no cost"
IRS, Work Opportunity Tax Credit (page updated July 20, 2026): "available for wages paid to certain individuals who begin work on or before December 31, 2025"
One More Way, "WOTC in 2026: The Program Is in Hiatus": guidance to keep screening and filing for 2026 hires in case the credit is renewed retroactively
Congress.gov, H.R. 1177, Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (119th Congress): a pending bill, for background
Facts used from MGS's own materials (no outside source needed):
Veteran-owned, Pittsburgh-based; services listed match the MGS Capabilities Brief