Addabbo looks to support organization dedicated to helping veterans obtain job training and placement in the automotive industry

Earlier this month, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. met with a representative from The Veteran Initiative, an organization dedicated to training, certifying and employing veterans in the automotive industry.

The merger of Veterans Rebuilding Life (VRL) and C.T.I. (Collision Training Institute) facilitated the creation The Veteran Initiative. Bill Vallely, Chief Executive Officer for C.T.I. — and a veteran himself — visited Addabbo in his Howard Beach office to explain the initiative, how it works, and how it can benefit returning veterans.

The program aims to provide full training in one of three fields of study to ensure that the veteran is the best candidate for a job in the automotive industry — an industry that itself is suffering. The goals of VRL and C.T.I. are to mentor, evaluate, and ensure that the veteran is thriving in their automotive career once they move on from the program.

“I was very intrigued when I heard about The Veteran Initiative, so I had to find out more about what they are doing to help our veterans,” Addabbo, a member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, said. “Once I met with Bill and saw his passion for this program, I knew it would go a long way in benefiting veterans. It is sad to see so many veterans struggling when they return from their service, so providing them with this training and job placement is an incredible service. I would like to thank Bill for bringing this initiative to my attention, and all the members of VRL and C.T.I. for providing this service to our veterans. I look forward to assisting in any way I can to make The Veteran Initiative a thriving success.”

Through The Veteran Initiative, veterans can chose one of three different training paths:  Introduction to Estimating, Office Management/Customer Service, and Parts Manager.

“CTI was created as a labor of passion,” Vallely said. “If I can take control, solve the veteran unemployment problem for my brothers and sisters, while creating a talent pool for my industry, I can live up to the CTI ethos, NEMO POST TERGUM, leave no one behind.”

For more information about The Veteran Initiative, visit https://www.veteransrebuildinglife.org/veteran-contact/, call (718) 606-6349, or email info@vrlnyc.org or bill@ctinstitute.nyc.