During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing with Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis R. McDonough, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) received an update on the VA’s efforts to promote apprenticeship opportunities that are available to veterans through their GI bill benefits.
In 2020, bipartisan legislation authored by Peters was signed into law to expand veterans access to financial assistance for apprenticeship programs, while also requiring apprenticeships to factor a veteran’s military service into where they are placed.
“As servicemembers transition into civilian life, it’s absolutely critical that they have the tools and the job training they need to be successful in that transition,” said Senator Peters during the hearing. “But the fact remains that for veterans to use their GI Bill benefits on these programs, they have to actually be aware of apprenticeships in the first place, and how those GI funds can be used to help them get that training to transition.”
Peters went on to highlight that a provision he supported in Fiscal Year 2023 funding legislation directed the VA to take additional action to promote apprenticeship programs for veterans, and asked Secretary McDonough what the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is doing to increase awareness of what apprenticeship opportunities exist for veterans.
In response, Secretary McDonough confirmed that outreach to veterans regarding apprenticeship opportunities is ongoing, and ensured he will provide Peters with updated statistics on the program as data becomes available.
To watch the full video of Senator Peters’ questioning, click HERE
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