Durham, North Carolina veteran employment help: priority of service, hiring preferences, VR&E training, and free job placement near you.
Durham (population 283,506) is one of the larger metros in North Carolina, and several local and statewide programs serve veterans here. Most VA-administered care for Durham is delivered through Durham VA Medical Center. This page lists verified employment resources filtered to Durham, plus the broader North Carolina guide for help that is available statewide.
Veterans in crisis: dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net (24/7).
If you need work, training, or a career reset in North Carolina, start with the systems built to serve veterans first: NCWorks career centers, installation transition programs, and VA Veteran Readiness and Employment if you have a service-connected disability. These programs can help with resumes, job leads, hiring events, training plans, and referrals to employers that already understand military experience.
Your best first call is usually NCWorks at (919) 707-1150 or the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at 1-844-624-8387. If you are separating soon from Fort Liberty or Camp Lejeune, contact your installation transition office now. If a disability is affecting work, call VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask about VR&E.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Durham area.
SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Durham veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living.
Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Durham-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Durham veterans.
Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Durham area.
Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Durham-area veterans.
Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.
These North Carolina programs are not based in Durham but accept residents.
Career counseling, resume help, skills translation, and job-search tools for North Carolina veterans and transitioning service members, including the GI Bill and education-and-career counseling benefits.
Employment and training services for North Carolina veterans including job placement and career counseling.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Winston-Salem area.
Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Winston-Salem veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living.
Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
Start with the resources listed on this page, which are filtered to Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area. If you do not see what you need, expand to the full North Carolina employment guide or call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 for an immediate referral.
Veterans in Durham are typically served by Durham VA Medical Center. Call 1-877-222-8387 or visit VA.gov/find-locations to confirm the right campus, clinic hours, and what services are offered before you travel.
Most listed resources are free or low-cost for eligible veterans. Eligibility, copays, and waitlists vary by program, so confirm cost and required documents (DD-214, VA award letter, proof of residency) when you call.
