Ciscomani Introduces New Effort to Expand Veterans’ Access to Skilled Trade Educational Programs
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced a new, bipartisan effort to expand veterans’ access to educational opportunities for in-demand skilled trade and vocational programs.
The legislation, titled the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, would extend educational benefits in the post-9/11 GI Bill to include partially online (or hybrid) versions of skilled trade training programs. This is the Congressman’s seventh veterans-focused bill that he has introduced while in Congress. Full text of the legislation is available here.
“As more and more students gravitate towards virtual educational programs, we need to ensure our veterans have the same access to online learning,” said Ciscomani, who represents over 70,000 veterans in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. “This legislation makes an important modernization to our veterans’ GI benefits to include hybrid skilled trade educational programs. Not only does this improve the way our veterans access their benefits but also helps to tackle the current workforce shortage in skilled trades.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Congressmen Don Davis (D-NC-01) and Richard Hudson (R-NC-09).
“As veterans transition to civilian life, it is our duty to give them the support they need to succeed,” said Congressman Hudson. “This legislation would expand veterans’ access to benefits they’ve earned to cover the costs of trade schools and allow them to learn valuable skills. Our veterans are the greatest among us and deserve every opportunity to pursue their own path.”
Supporting organizations include the American Legion, National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA), and Universal Technical Institute.
"As CEO of Pipeline AZ and a proud member of our Vet Council, I am thrilled to express my full support for the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act introduced by Congressman Ciscomani,” said Amber Smith, the CEO of Pipeline AZ and a member of Ciscomani’s Veterans Advisory Council. “This legislation is a crucial step towards empowering our veterans with the education and skills they need to thrive in today's workforce. With 80% of jobs not requiring a college education but demanding additional skill sets, initiatives like the VETS Opportunity Act are essential in bridging the gap between education and employment. By expanding post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to include high-quality, partially online certificate programs in in-demand trades, such as welding, CNC machining, and HVACR, this legislation ensures that our veterans have access to opportunities that align with the needs of State and local employers. I commend Congressman Ciscomani for his leadership in championing policies that promote workforce development and provide our veterans with the tools they need to succeed in fulfilling careers. Pipeline AZ stands ready to support this important legislation and the veterans it aims to serve."
“On behalf of our 1.5 million dues paying American Legion members, and in support of America's veterans, the American Legion fully supports Rep. Ciscomani’s legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as introduced on April 9th, 2024,” said John Bowen Sr., Chairman of the American Legions Veterans Employment & Education Commission. “The current Post-9/11 GI Bill does not adequately benefit veterans enrolled in partially online certificate programs offered by all institutions of higher education. The proposed change would expand Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to veterans enrolled in high-quality, postsecondary programs offered in a hybrid educational format that teach in-demand skilled trades that are aligned with the requirements of State and local employers. The American Legion commends Rep. Ciscomani’s office on their efforts to expand educational opportunities for our Nation’s veterans.”
“As gatekeepers of quality and engineers of innovation, State approving agencies welcome the integration and use of online methodologies by accredited institutions to deliver high quality education and training which result in real jobs for our Veterans and service members,” said the NASAA. “NASAA is pleased to support this legislation.”