Military bill to help vets move to civilian jobs
Under measure, Labor Department would identify at least 10 military jobs that could translate to civilian sector.
The House Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee approved a bill this week designed to help military veterans transition into civilian jobs.
The measure (H.R. 5220) would authorize the Secretary of Labor to establish a pilot project to help soldiers transition from active duty to civilian employment.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Fla., calls for the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training to identify at least 10 specialized military occupations that could lead to equivalent credentials in the civilian job market. The assistant secretary would then work with states to match up civilian and military skills and training in an effort to reduce employment barriers for servicemen.
Brown-Waite noted that unemployment rates tend to be higher among military veterans than they do among the general population.
"For far too long, employers have overlooked one of the most skilled sectors of the nation's workforce: military veterans," she said. The bill would authorize $1 million a year for fiscal 2007 through 2009 for the demonstration project.
The bill was reported favorably to the full committee, where members hope to see the legislation addressed before Memorial Day. Subcommittee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., said that the legislation has earned wide bipartisan support, and he does not foresee any problems with future passage.