U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) introduced the Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship Act last week, legislation that would allow returning military veterans to use education benefits for enrollment into programs for pre-apprenticeship.
“As a veteran, I know the difficulties our returning service members face as they look to transition to civilian life,” McSally said. “This bill will make it easier for them to obtain good-paying jobs using the benefits they earned.”
Under the legislation, veterans may use their educational benefits through the GI Bill to be trained for critical workplace skills. Currently, GI Bill benefits cannot be used in this fashion. Implementation of the bill would be a win-win situation, as the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans remains almost a full point higher than the national average, and the American workforce continues to suffer from a shortage of skilled workers
“Currently, there are trade and manufacturing jobs going unfilled in our community because there aren’t enough people with the skills needed for them,” McSally said. “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.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), herself a military veteran and a fellow member of the Congressional Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus, introduced the legislation alongside McSally.
The bill has collected 30 additional cosponsors in the House, as well as the support of a number or influential organizations, including 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.
“Our service members 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,” Gabbard said. “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.”