Employment Services

As businesses and organizations seek quality workers, they continue to find that hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities strengthens their company with an array of experience, talent and skill while showing a commitment to diversity in the workplace.

WVU CED Employment Services connects job-seeking clients with disabilities to the businesses that hire them in order to find the perfect match. We work one-on-one with individuals to help them prepare for employment and find the right job. Employment Services also strives to refer great candidates to employers and offer technical assistance on disability-related labor issues.

Connect with Us

Bill Sochko

304-293-4692

Disability Employment Specialist

Visit the CED Disability
Employment Resource Directory

Services offered include:

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” – George Washington

  • Employment counseling.
  • Skill assessments.
  • Career exploration/interests.
  • Resume writing.
  • Interview preparation and mock interviews.
  • Assistance with job-seeking and applications.
  • Information on disabilities in the workplace and Equal Opportunity.

Happy Veterans Day

Links and Sources:

The WVU CED would like to thank and honor those who have served and sacrificed for the freedoms that we enjoy in this country.

While we value their service in protecting the nation, we must also remember the value of our veterans, with or without disabilities, who continue to strengthen our country and its economy as essential members of the workforce.

Disabled American Veterans Facts:

  • There are over 21 million veterans living in the United States. Over 6 million have a disability. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • West Virginia has a veteran population of 159,448, with 39,489 reporting a disability. Approximately 99,000 West Virginia veterans served during the Vietnam War or the Gulf War. (USAFacts.org)
  • In 2022, data showed that 8.5% of West Virginia’s adult population were veterans, which is significantly higher than the national average of 6.8%. (Housing Assistance Council)
  • The West Virginia counties of Monroe, Ritchie, Wirt, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Taylor, Hancock and Lewis have the highest percentage of veterans living in the state, with 8.80 – 9.62% of the adult population identifying as veterans. (Housing Assistance Council)
  • Two federal laws vital to veterans in the workplace are the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

a photo of Dave Burgess standing in front of a CED display

November Worker Spotlight: Dave Burgess

In honor of Veterans Day, the CED is beginning our new Worker Spotlight series by featuring West Virginia veteran, retired Technical Sergeant Dave Burgess.

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Dave continued his commitment to the armed forces by serving as an Air Force recruiter and as a Local Veteran Employment Representative for the state of West Virginia.

Mr. Burgess continues to serve his country in his current position at a U.S. federal agency. To other veterans with disabilities seeking employment, Dave offers this advice: “Don’t give up. There is a job out there for you. Don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons and be open to jobs you may have never thought about.”

Full Veterans Day Spotlight

Resources for Employers