—
The Department of Veterans Affairs has approved applications for all 45,000 slots available in fiscal year 2012 under the successful Veterans Retraining Assistance Program and is in the process of approving applications for a total of 54,000 slots available in FY 2013.
VRAP is a new training and education program for unemployed veterans who want to upgrade their skills for high demand jobs. The goal of VRAP is to train a total of 99,000 veterans over the next two years in more than 200 job skills that the Department of Labor has determined are most sought by employers.
The joint VA/DOL program is a provision of the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, passed and signed into law in November 2011. The program allows qualifying veterans to receive up to 12 months of education assistance equal to the current full time Montgomery G.I. Bill Active Duty rate of $1,473 per month. To be eligible for VRAP, a veteran must:
• Be 35 to 60 years old, unemployed and not dishonorably discharged.
• Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program such as the Post -9/11GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment.
• Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program within the last 180 days.
• Not receive VA compensation at the 100 percent rate due to individual unemployability.
Veterans approved for VRAP are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible and begin training in a VA approved program at their local community college or technical school. The program of study must lead to an associate's degree, a non-college degree or a certificate for a high demand occupation as defined by the DOL. Some of the high demand job training programs include computer support specialist, general and operations manager, business operations specialist and heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic and installer.
VRAP applications were received from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. VRAP also attracted veterans internationally, with applications coming from veterans living in the Philippines, Canada, Japan, the Northern Mariana Islands and areas of Europe and the Pacific, where military units are based.
Potential applicants can learn more about VRAP and apply online at 1-800-827-1000. Information about the Department of Labor’s programs for veterans is available at www.dol.gov/vets. Veterans can also visit the nearly 3,000 One-Step Career Centers across the nation, listed at www.servicelocator.org, for in person employment assistance.
Recently I was served at an out-of-state restaurant. I asked the waitress, “What is your active duty and veteran discount?” The reply was, “We don’t give those kind of discounts.” After a brief conversation with the manager, our group was given a discount. As an active duty member of our Armed Forces or a veteran, everyone should recognize your sacrifices and honor that fact by displaying their gratitude always. Don’t be afraid to ask. You deserve it!
Reach Jim Vines at jim.helpingveterans@gmail.com.
Viewpoints
COLUMN: Veteran's Corner
- Viewpoints
-
-
NOTES FROM THE JOURNEY: Survivors are heroes, too
Recently, we attended the production of two one-act plays at Weatherford College, both under the excellent direction of Nancy McVean. The first, entitled simply “New York,” was set in a Manhattan psychiatrist’s office shortly after 9-11 as 10 different patients who had either been present at the Twin Towers or had lost loved ones in the disaster came seeking solace. Each survivor struggled with their own grief and internal conflict as the doctor listened and tried to help.
-
TISIONE: We worship the triune God
Many Christians recently celebrated the feast of Pentecost, which is sometimes called Whitsunday. Pentecost as you may know was celebrated in the Old Testament. The Bible refers to it as the Feast of Weeks. It was ordained by God to be one of the three mandatory celebrations in Israel along with Passover and the Feast of Booths.
-
Honor Flight Fort Worth – the trip of a lifetime
WOW! What an experience! I have done many things, been to many places, but I must say that the Honor Flight ranks right up there with the best of those occasions.
-
Letters to the Editor – May 23, 2013
America is being destroyed by voter fraud and the buying of votes by the followers of Karl Marx.
-
CNHI EDITORIAL: Seizure of AP phone records an insult to independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
NOW HEAR THIS: ‘What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate’
This famous quote addressing communication failure is a classic line from the 1967 movie “Cool Hand Luke,” starring Paul Newman. Strother Martin, who played the role of the warden in a southern prison, would use this phrase every time he gave Luke a good whack with his baton. The concept resonated so well with moviegoers that it was voted No. 11 of the 100 all-time favorite movie quotes according to the American Film Institute.
-
Letters to the Editor – May 19, 2013
Do you remember the “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” sign that the personnel on the USS Abraham Lincoln displayed to greet President Bush when he went out to greet them?
-
Guest opinion: Campaign with honor
All politics is local and personal! I hope that you and your family have a wonderful summer, filled with relationship building experiences and times of relaxation. As you do all the things that re-charge us for the next round at work and involvement in community and political activities, let’s reflect on the 2013 local elections for a moment.
-
TISCIONE: Woe for calling evil good
You don’t often see “woe” used in an article. It’s a word that has fallen out of usage in our day. But it’s a word that ought to be understood and taken seriously.
-
Letters to the Editor – May 17, 2013
As mercury pollution threatens our waterways and carbon pollution-fueled climate change worsens extreme weather, we need someone in Washington who knows how to get things done.
- More Viewpoints Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
