Our Mission

Our mission is to help rehabilitate and reintegrate veterans who are homeless, unemployed or underemployed by providing them with tools to move toward self-sufficiency. The School accomplishes this mission by providing veterans with necessary job skills to obtain and retain competitive employment in today’s market.

To meet our goal, the Veterans Training School partners with local businesses to provide apprenticeship and entry-level positions to our graduates. Together with educational institutions, we offer certificate and degree-seeking programs.

About Us . . .
The Veterans Training School (VTS) offers job training and placement assistance available to all unemployed and underemployed veterans. We are located within the New England Center for Homeless Veterans at 17 Court Street in downtown Boston. VTS was established in 2005.

Courses Offered. . .

Commercial Drivers License Class B,
Security Officer Training, Fundamentals of Culinary Arts, Website Design, and Basic Networking with UNIX/Linux, as well as a number of Intercession Courses. Classes are held Monday – Friday with varying schedules for each class.

Job Placement Services . . .
Students are provided with the tools to build their resumes, develop interview skills and learn to search for gainful employment. VTS offers 6-week workshops such as “Turning Military Skills into Money” and “Identifying Your Next Job.” Life-long job placement assistance is provided to all graduates.

Veterans Training School Staff:

Debby Wiesen
Director, Client Training and Employment
Dean of the Veterans Training School

Tony Padilla
Employment Assistance and Operations Manager

David “Deke” Kennison
Registrar

Michael McDonald
Instructor, Commercial Drivers License

John Linardy
Instructor, Security Officer Training Course

Commercial Drivers License, Class B
10-week Commonwealth of Massachusetts certified program focusing on permit test preparation, vehicle maneuvers, expressway and local driving, and Class B license test preparation. Students will use a MCI 9 coach for training and testing. and Graduates receive a Class B CDL with passenger, HAZMAT, tanker, and airbrake endorsements. A current Massachusetts license and a current copy of the individual's driving record are required. A drug screening test and a physical is mandated by the US Department of Transportation. This physical can be done at this facility or by one’s primary care physician.

To be accepted into the VTS CDL Program your Driving Record must be “clean” and your drivers license not revoked or suspended in the last three years. No DWI’s and no more than one speeding violation is allowed. Other restrictions may apply.

Web Design I and Photoshop
8 -week program focuses on creating a website in your area of interest. Learn the mechanics, color, and composition to create professional-looking website. No coding knowledge is required. Ability to surf the Internet and basic computer skill are preferred. Students with previous course experience are encouraged to attend. In Photoshop, a companion class to Web Design I, you will learn the basics of Photoshop to enhance your website with photos, headers and logos. Participants will clean up old photos, add in layers, drop shadows, and much more.

Security Officer Training Course (SOTC)
6-week International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) certified intensive course with practical application in situations encountered by today's security professional. Course includes protection protocols, emergency situation training (fire, disturbances and natural disaster), proper patrol protocols of client assets, crime scene procedures, communications standards, and proper report writing protocols. Course elements are reinforced with video presentations used by today’s premier security firms. Program includes supervised apprenticeships at local security firms. After course completion, students take the IFPO certification exam. which will result in a nationally recognized Certified Protection Officer, (CPO) credential.

Fundamentals of UNIX/Linux
6-week course focusing on systems administration and management of UNIXLinux systems through addressing user needs, tuning, environment enhancements and problem solving. Individuals learn to configure and install the Linux operating system, perform user administration, backup and restore data, administer security, modify kernel functions, and manage resources.

Prerequisites: Some experience with computer hardware and diagnosing, troubleshooting hardware, and network issues is required.

Fundamentals of Culinary Arts
8-week program focusing on meal planning, short order, commercial and institutional meal preparation. Course is on-site in classroom and kitchen environments where students plan and prepare for 250-300 meals per day in a full service kitchen. Course prepares the student for an entry-level position as a cook in a commer

For more information, contact Debby Wiesen at 617-371-1812, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, or e-mail debbyw@nechv.org (pictured center in photo). In addition to the training, students are provided with the tools to build their resumes, develop interview skills and learn to search for gainful employment. Life-long job placement assistance is provided to all graduates.