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McNerney To Host Veterans Job Retraining Workshop

Jul 10, 2012
Press Release

Stockton, Calif. – Next Monday, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) will hold a workshop to help veterans access the newly-created Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP).  VRAP offers eligible, unemployed veterans up to 12 months of career retraining.  45,000 veterans will be included in this program, and the deadline to register for retraining assistance is Sept. 30, 2012.

“I have always viewed helping our nation’s veterans as one of my highest priorities.  Now, I want to make sure that unemployed veterans in our area have an opportunity to benefit from this new program and receive needed job retraining.  Helping the men and women who served our country find good-paying jobs in today’s economy is one of the most important things I can do,” said Congressman McNerney.

Representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs, San Joaquin County Veterans Service Office and California Employment Development Department will be on hand to provide information about the program and assist veterans who want to register for VRAP.

WHAT: Veterans Job Retraining Workshop and One-Stop Registration

WHEN: Mon., July 16, 2012, 9 am-12 pm

WHERE: E-Services Computer Labs, DeRicco Student Service Bldg., San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95207   

VRAP eligibility and details: 

As part of a provision of the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 that Congressman McNerney helped pass, the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) allows qualifying unemployed veterans to receive up to 12 months of job retraining assistance that can amount to $1,473 per month.  Veterans can apply now on a first-come, first-serve basis for VRAP. 

To complete the VRAP application, veterans must know their direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of the community college or technical school program they will attend, the program they wish to pursue, and the high-demand occupation they are working toward. 

To qualify veterans must:

  • Be 35-60 years old, unemployed on the day of application, and not dishonorably discharged;
  • Start education or training after July 1, 2012, in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school leading to an associate degree, non-college degree or a certificate for a high-demand occupation as defined by DOL;
  • Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program, such as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment;
  • Not be enrolled in a federal or state job-training program within the last 180 days;
  • Not receive VA compensation at the 100 percent rate due to individual unemployability.

For more information on VOW, VRAP, the definition of “high-demand occupations,” and how to apply, Veterans should visit www.benefits.va.gov/VOW, or call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Veterans may also access the VRAP application online at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov.