WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Representative Martha
McSally (R-AZ) today introduced the bipartisan Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship
Act.
The bill would help
returning veterans transition to the civilian workforce by allowing them to use
their educational benefits for enrollment in pre-apprenticeship
programs.
“As
a veteran, I know the difficulties our returning service members face as they
look to transition to civilian life. This bill will make it easier for them to
obtain good-paying jobs using the benefits they earned,”said Congresswoman
Martha McSally. “Currently, there are trade and manufacturing jobs going
unfilled in our community because there aren’t enough people with the skills
needed for them. Opening up job training programs to veterans only makes sense
and would be a win for local businesses too. Those who volunteered to put their
lives on the line deserve all our efforts to help them, and I thank Rep. Gabbard
for working with me on this commonsense legislation.”
Congresswoman
Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), a veteran and fellow member of the Congressional post-9/11
Veterans Caucus, co-introduced the legislation.
“Our
servicemembers develop valuable skills and experience while serving our nation,
and should be able to access opportunities to further develop their skills to
set themselves up for success as they transition into civilian life,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Chair
of the Congressional post-9/11 Veterans Caucus. “Veterans still face many
obstacles as they go through this transition. This bill works to make that
transition smoother by enabling our veterans to use their GI Bill benefits for
apprenticeship programs in the skilled-trade industry. While there is much to be
done, this bill will help reduce the still too high numbers of unemployed
veterans, and address the shortage of skilled workers in our
country.”
Today’s
legislation adds to Rep. McSally’s committed efforts to ensure veterans have
access to the benefits they earned. On
February 23, 2015, she joined 29 Members of
Congress to call on the Administration to change the 40-mile
eligibility measurement under the Veterans Choice Program from a straight-line
measurement to road mileage, something the Administration announced it would do
the following month. She also has called on the
Administration to answer for its decision to raid funding for
the Veterans Choice Program in its Fiscal Year 2016 budget and address how to
meet a veteran’s specialty need should the VA clinic within 40 miles not offer
it.
The
Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship Act provides veterans the ability to use their
educational benefits under the GI Bill to learn critical workplace skills.
Currently, GI Bill benefits cannot be used to cover the cost of Department of
Labor approved pre-apprenticeship programs. These programs teach the skills and
techniques necessary to prepare individuals for apprenticeship training and
careers in the skilled-trade industry.
The
unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans is nearly 7%, a full point higher than
the national average. In certain industries, many veterans face barriers to
entry into apprenticeship programs because they lack pre-apprenticeship
training.
The
United States has seen a shortage of skilled workers in recent years. With an
increasing number of post-9/11 veterans looking to enter the workforce, and an
estimated 573,000 unemployed veterans in 2014, this bill will make it easier for
service members to pursue careers in occupations that require an
apprenticeship.
The
bipartisan bill has 30 original cosponsors in the House. Additionally, the bill
is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States, the Reserve
Officers Association, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the
United States, the National Roofing Contractors Association, the National
Association of Home Builders, and the Associated General Contractors of America.
