Altmire Votes to Strengthen Job Training Resources for Veterans
November 3, 2009
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) voted last night for legislation that will help unemployed veterans obtain good-paying jobs. The Veterans Retraining Act of 2009 (H.R. 1168) would make it easier for veterans to take advantage of job training opportunities that can help them develop valuable new skills. This bill passed the House unanimously last night.
“America’s veterans often face unique challenges when they look for new jobs after leaving the military,” Altmire said. “This bill will help veterans who are currently unemployed by making it easier for them to participate in job training programs. Given the sacrifices that these men and women have made to serve their country, it is only fair that we ensure they have resources that can help them obtain good jobs when they return home.”
Under the Veterans Retraining Act of 2009, veterans who are unemployed for at least four months would be eligible to receive a housing stipend while they participate in a job re-training program. Veterans who have completed a job training program would also be eligible to receive $5,000 to help them cover the cost of moving to an area in which their skills are in high demand.
Historically, veterans’ unemployment rates have often been higher than other Americans’ unemployment rates. Veterans can face a number of challenges when they look for new employment after completing their military service. These challenges include facing difficulty in transferring skills learned in the military to the civilian sector, the lack of a career network, and discrimination due to physical or psychological injuries.
Altmire has consistently worked to help our nation’s veterans obtain good paying jobs when they return home. Altmire is the author of the Military Reservist and Veterans Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act (H.R. 4253), which expands the funding and support available to veterans running small businesses and makes it easier for reservists to secure loans that can help maintain their businesses during deployments. This legislation passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support and was signed into law on February 14, 2008.
