By Karen Parrish, AFPS, WASHINGTON, May 15, 2012 - Unemployed veterans ages 35 to 60 can apply for up to 12 months of paid training through a new program sponsored by the Departments of Labor (as paid for from DVA funds) and Veterans Affairs.
VA officials said the population the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program will serve is particularly in need. Of about 900,000 U.S. veterans who are unemployed, nearly two-thirds are between 35 and 60, according to the Labor Department.
The program, which began today, provides 12 months of training assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program, which currently pays $1,473 per month.
Participants must be enrolled in a community college or technical school program approved for VA benefits. The program must lead to an associate degree, non-college degree or certificate.
To qualify, a veteran also must:
-- Have a discharge that is not dishonorable;
-- Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill;
-- Not receive VA compensation for being unemployable;
-- Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program; and
-- Pursue a program that leads to employment in one of 210 occupations the Labor Department designates as high-demand.
The list of occupations, available on the VA website, includes jobs in construction, machine operation, transportation, preschool education, health care and many other fields.
The program will fund up to 45,000 participants between July 1 and Sept. 30, and an additional 54,000 participants from Oct. 1, 2012 through March 31, 2014. Labor officials said the department will offer employment assistance to every veteran who completes the program.
The retraining program is funded under the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. The law expanded education and training for veterans, strengthened the Transition Assistance Program for service members returning to civilian life, and provides tax credits for employers who hire unemployed or disabled veterans.
Eligible veterans may call 800-827-1000 to learn more about the program, or visit the websites listed below.
The program is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month).
Related Sites:
Veterans Retraining Assistance Program
Veterans On-Line Application
The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) provides training towards an Associates Degree, on-College, Degree, or Certificate that leads to a high demand occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor.
"High Demand Occupations"
5BManagement Occupations
1. General and Operations Managers
2. Constructions Managers
6BBusiness and Financial Operations Occupations
3. Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
4. Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
5. Claim Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
6. Business Operations Specialists, All Other
7. Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
8. Loan Officers
9. Tax Preparers
7BComputer and Mathematical Occupations
10. Computer Support Specialists
8BArchitecture and Engineering Occupations
11. Architectural and Civil Drafters
12. Mechanical Drafters
13. Civil Engineering Technicians
14. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians
15. Environmental Engineering Technicians
16. Industrial Engineering Technicians
17. Mechanical Engineering Technicians
18. Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
19. Surveying and Mapping Technicians
9BLife, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
20. Chemical Technicians
21. Geological and Petroleum Technicians
22. Social Science Research Assistants
23. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
24. Forest and Conservation Technicians
25. Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
10BCommunity and Social Services Occupations
26. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
11BLegal Occupations
27. Paralegals and Legal Assistants
12BEducation, Training, and Library Occupations
28. Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
29. Library Technicians
13BArts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
30. Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
31. Actors
32. Athletes and Sports Competitors
33. Coaches and Scouts
34. Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
35. Choreographers
36. Musicians and Singers
37. Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
38. Broadcast Technicians
39. Photographers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations
40. Registered Nurses
41. Radiation Therapists
42. Respiratory Therapists
43. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
44. Dental Hygienists
45. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
46. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
47. Nuclear Medicine Technologists
48. Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
49. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
50. Dietetic Technicians
51. Pharmacy Technicians
52. Psychiatric Technicians
53. Surgical Technologists
54. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
55. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
56. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
57. Opticians, Dispensing
58. Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
14BHealthcare Support Occupations
59. Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants
60. Occupational Therapy Assistants
61. Physical Therapist Assistants
62. Physical Therapist Aides
63. Massage Therapists
64. Dental Assistants
65. Medical Assistants
66. Medical Equipment Preparers
67. Medical Transcriptionists
15BProtective Service Occupations
68. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
69. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
70. First-Line Supervisors of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers
71. Firefighters
72. Correctional Officers and Jailers
73. Detectives and Criminal Investigators
74. Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
75. Private Detectives and Investigators
76. Transportation Security Screeners (Federal Only)
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
77. Cooks, Private Household
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
78. Pest Control Workers
16B Personal Care and Service Occupations
79. Gaming Dealers
80. Funeral Service Managers, Directors, Morticians, and Undertakers
81. Barbers
82. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
83. Manicurists and Pedicurists
84. Skincare Specialists
85. Tour Guides and Escorts
86. Travel Guides
87. Residential Advisors
17BSales and Related Occupations
88. Advertising Sales Agents
89. Insurance Sales Agents
90. Travel Agents
91. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
92. Real Estate Sales Agents
93. Sales and Related Workers, All Other
18BOffice and Administrative Support Occupations
94. Bill and Account Collectors
95. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
96. Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
97. Procurement Clerks
98. Brokerage Clerks
99. Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
100. Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
101. Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
102. Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
103. Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
104. Legal Secretaries
105. Medical Secretaries
106. Data Entry Keyers
107. Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
Construction and Extraction
108. Boilermakers
109. Brickmasons and Blockmasons
110. Stonemasons
111. Carpenters
112. Floor Sanders and Finishers
113. Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
114. Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
115. Pile-Driver Operators
116. Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
117. Electricians
118. Glaziers
119. Insulation Workers, Mechanical
120. Plumbers, Pipefitters; and Steamfitters
121. Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
122. Sheet Metal Workers
123. Structural Iron and Steel Workers
124. Construction and Building Inspectors
125. Fence Erectors
126. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
127. Highway Maintenance Workers
128. Segmental Pavers
129. Construction and Related Workers, All Other
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
130. Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
131. Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairs
132. Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
133. Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
134. Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers
135. Security and Fire Alarm System Installers
136. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
137. Automotive Body and Related Repairers
138. Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
139. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
140. Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
141. Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
142. Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
143. Rail Car Repairers
144. Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
145. Motorcycle Mechanics
146. Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
147. Bicycle Repairers
148. Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
149. Tire Repairers and Changers
150. Mechanical Door Repairers
151. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
152. Home Appliance Repairers
153. Industrial Machinery Mechanics
154. Maintenance Workers, Machinery
155. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
156. Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
157. Medical Equipment Repairers
158. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
159. Commercial Divers
160. Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
161. Helpers – Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
162. Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
19BProduction Occupations:
163. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
164. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
165. Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
166. Team Assemblers
167. Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other
168. Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
169. Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
170. Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
171. Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
172. Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
173. Machinists
174. Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
175. Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
176. Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
177. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and 178. Welding, Soldering, and Brazing
179. Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal Transportation and Material Moving and Plastic Occupations
180. Prepress Technicians and Workers
181. Printing Press Operators Engineers
182. Upholsterers
183. Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
184. Power Plant Operators
185. Stationary Engineers and Boiler Attendants, Except Emergency Operators Medical Technicians
186. Water and Wastewater Operators Client
187. Chemical Plant and System
188. Petroleum Pump System Yardmasters Operators, Refinery Operators,
189. Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
190. Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
191. Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
192. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
193. Dental Laboratory Technicians
194. Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
195. Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
196. Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
197. Painters, Transportation Equipment
198. Painting, Coating, and Decorating Brazers Workers
199. Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Machine Setters, Operators, and Except Metal and Plastic Tenders
200. Production Workers, All Other
201. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight
202. Commercial Pilots
203. Air Traffic Controllers
204. Flight Attendants
205. Ambulance Drivers and
206. Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Treatment Plan and System
207. Bus Drivers, School and Special
208. Locomotive Engineers Operators
209. Railroad Conductors and
210. Transportation Inspectors and Gaugers
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