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North Lake Embraces Veteran Retraining Program
Government program helps retrain veterans
By Marielle Perrault
IRVING – On July 1, 2012 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor implemented a new offering: The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). Part of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, VRAP allows unemployed veterans to receive 12 months of training assistance at a community college or technical school.
North Lake College offers retraining in 17 of VRAP’s high demand occupations; including Building Inspectors, Medical Secretaries and Audio/Video Technicians. Those currently receiving VA compensation due to unemployability, however, do not qualify for the program. “Basically [VRAP] is for unemployed veterans with no remaining educational benefits between the ages of 35 to 60,” explains North Lake Veterans Affairs Specialist Amy Zorka. “On the date of application they have to be unemployed & meet the age requirements.”
In its beginning stages, VRAP is limited to 45,000 participants during the 2012 fiscal year. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has already seen a strong response, receiving 12,000 applicants in the month of May alone. Nevertheless, The House Committee of Veterans’ Affairs expressed concern over an initial lack of advertising. “Getting the message out about this opportunity is critically important to putting unemployed veterans on a path to a job in a high-demand field,” said Committee Chairman Jeff Miller. Failure to promote the benefit could leave training slots unfilled.
Editor's note: For interviews, photo opportunities and media support, please contact Marielle Perrault, Marketing & Advertising Coordinator, at 972-860-3957, or the North Lake College Public Information Office, 972-273-3004.
North Lake College is a member of the Dallas County Community College system. Educational opportunities are offered by the Dallas County Community College District without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or gender expression.
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