Employment

Securing the job you want in the Groton/New London area requires planning ahead, utilizing available employment resources, networking, and starting your search on the right foot. Much of your job search preparation can be undertaken before you arrive through research, preparing resumes, references, and applications, and gathering important documents to carry with you. Having a clear understanding of the skills you offer, along with the types of skills local employers are seeking, will help shorten your job search. If you are currently at another base, your local Family Employment Readiness Program can assist you in preparing resumes, cover letters, and employment applications.

Family Employment Readiness: FERP is a Department of the Navy-sponsored service that provides free employment assistance, career counseling, career interest assessments, resume and interview skills assistance, and job referrals. Family members of active-duty service members, active-duty reservists, and retired military members, as well as spouses of Department of Defense civilians on PCS orders, may use FERP for up to 90 days after arriving in Kings Bay. The FERP Office staff is located in the Fleet and Family Support.

Employment on Base: The Naval Submarine Base has several employers, including the Department of the Navy, MWR, NEX, Commissary, and various contractors. Major government contractors offer numerous positions in facilities and grounds maintenance, security, clerks, food service, building custodial services, skilled trades, and administrative roles. There are often openings in these areas, with excellent pay and competitive job openings.

Other government opportunities: Government contractors such as Electric Boat (General Dynamics), Sonalysts Corporation, and Balfour Beatty Communities (which manages government housing) provide employment opportunities in technical, industrial, medical, and administrative fields. Administrative and clerical positions on base are limited and highly competitive. FERP offers guidance and workshops for eligible applicants on how to apply for potential administrative, clerical, banking, and professional positions on base. The employers you apply with will primarily depend on your skills and the type of job you are seeking.

1. Employment Documentation: For job hunting purposes, it is important to hand-carry employment records and documents, including current civilian and federal resumes, transcripts, certificates, and licenses as applicable.
2. Transition Assistance Management Program: The Transition Assistance Management Program/Goals, Plans, Success provides employment assistance and career counseling to service members leaving the military and to DOD civil service employees. TAP/GPS offers seminars, job fairs, and employment search resources.
3. Career Options and Navy Skills Evaluation Program: The Career Options and Navy Skills Evaluation Program is a four-day class designed to help sailors assess their naval careers and personal goals. Course topics include self-assessment of skills, developing personal interests, personal financial planning, Navy career options, and civilian career planning.

Connecticut Military Department - CT.gov

• https://www.dol.gov/
• https://www.doi.gov/veterans
• https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets
• https://portal.ct.gov/Services/Jobs-and-Employment
• https://portal.ct.gov/DCF/Human-Resources/Employment
• https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/VeteransCareerTransition.htm

Veteran Employment Program: The USO Pathfinder Transition Program collaborates with strategic partners to connect service members and military spouses to resources through a holistic approach, focusing on:

• Employment
• Education - including leading online learning platforms.
• Financial readiness
• Mentorship
• Increased access to relevant veterans’ benefits in their communities

The USO Pathfinder Transition Program: https://www.uso.org/programs/uso-transition-program

Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) designs, develops, and administers the Navy’s voluntary education (VOLED) programs, the Navy's Enlisted Advancement program, and provides resource management services to assigned activities.

NAVY College Program, Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center.

• Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC)
• Tuition Assistance/NCPACE

My Career Advancement Account

• Scholarship Program for military spouses
• MyCAA Get Started

Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (Navy COOL): There are two avenues toward receiving funding from the Navy's Tuition Assistance Program: Traditional and Certificate Programs. More information is available on the Navy COOL website.

The national unemployment rate in May 2025 was 4.2%, which was unchanged from April 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate has been relatively stable, ranging between 4.0% and 4.2% since May 2024

The Connecticut Department of Labor partners with the Fleet and Family Support Center in providing individual job search assistance and career counseling to assist customers in their job search efforts. These highly trained professionals provide local and national job listings, employment assistance to all military veterans, job search and financial management workshops and a self-help library.

Applying for unemployment insurance benefits is through a computer-based self-entry system. For more detailed information on the services provided, contact the Connecticut DOL. https://portal.ct.gov/dol/unemployment-benefits or Veterans' services:   https://portal.ct.gov/dol/Divisions/Veterans-Services?language=en_US

• Connecticut Department of Labor Address: 200 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield, CT 06109 Phone: 860-263-6000 https://www.portal.ct.gov/  Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday - Closed

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION — MAY 2025

This news release presents statistics from two monthly surveys. The household survey measures labor force status, including unemployment, by demographic characteristics. The establishment survey measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry. National Unemployment Rate has rose; Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 139,000 in May, and the unemployment rate changed little at 4.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment continued to trend up in health care, leisure and hospitality, and social assistance. Federal government continued to lose jobs. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

Technical information: 
Household data: 202-691-6378 • cpsinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/cps Establishment data: 202-691-6555 • cesinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/ces Media contact: 202-691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

NOTE: Connecticut's unemployment rate of 3.7% nationally.

• https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm
• https://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/unemploymentrate.asp

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 139,000 in May 2025, and the unemployment rate remains at 4.2 percent. Employment continues to trend up in health care, social assistance, leisure and hospitality, jobs.

• Household data: 202-691-6378 • cpsinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/cps
• Establishment data: 202-691-6555 • cesinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/ces

NOTE: Connecticut is at an unemployment rate of 3.7 nationally, landing the state 20^th in the country. https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm

• Median Household Income:
  • Connecticut: $78,444
  • New London: $73,490
  • Groton: $66,657
• Unemployment Rates:
  • Connecticut: 6.3%
  • New London: 6.9%
  • Groton: 6.4%

In New London County, 129,504 people are in the labor force. Of these, 120,631 are employed and 8,873 (6.9%) are unemployed. The unemployment rate in New London County is higher than that of Connecticut (6.3%).

LINK: https://countystories.ctdata.org/new-london-county