DeLauro Legislation Will Expand G.I. Bill to Cover Job Training

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. – 3) introduced the Post-9/11 Veterans Job Training Act to expand the opportunities under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to include a subsidy for on the job training and apprenticeship programs on par with that offered through the Montgomery G.I. Bill, which would allow those veterans who do not pursue an academic course of study opportunities to advance in their jobs, whether they are with private sector companies, local law enforcement or otherwise, just as previous veterans have.

This summer Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans are beginning to take advantage of the historic Post-9/11 G.I. Bill passed last year by Congress, which restores full, four-year college scholarships to these veterans, as well as provides a stipend for housing, books and other expenses. While many will take advantage of these benefits, those pursuing a different type of education – on the job training and apprenticeships – will not be provided an equal benefit.

"When we passed the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill our goal was to provide this generation of veterans the level of educational benefits that we provided the Post-World War II generation," said DeLauro. "Unfortunately, some veterans will sign up for the program, only to later learn that it does not help them realize their goals because the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill does not provide for on-the-job training and apprenticeships. The Post-9/11 Veterans Job Training Act will correct that oversight, maximize the economic benefit, and importantly, ensure that we do not do a disservice to our veterans."

In addition to expanding the G.I. Bill benefits to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, the legislation also created an opportunity to help make these veterans part of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II. According to a Congressional study, the original GI bill returned $7 to the economy for every $1 spent.

It is estimated that ten percent of veterans taking advantage of the Montgomery G.I. Bill use the available benefits for education other than college or graduate school, including for on the job training and apprenticeship programs.