house Resolution No.202
Reps. Tate, Vaupel, Garza, Liberati, Sabo, Chirkun, Albert, Mueller, Witwer, Tyrone Carter, Lasinski, Clemente, Warren, Stone, Haadsma, Brixie, Sneller, Kennedy, Ellison, Koleszar, Manoogian, Hood, Yancey, Howell and Jones offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Our military men and women, who proudly served our country, often face challenges upon their return to civilian life. As veterans return to families and communities, education and employment may present barriers to a successful transition from military to civilian life. They deserve every opportunity to pursue their professional dreams and attain fulfilling employment; and
Whereas, There is a discrepancy between the number of apprenticeships registered by the U.S. Department of Labor and the number of programs for which veterans can use their GI bill benefits. In Michigan there are more than 1,000 active registered apprenticeships, but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has approved only 231 of them for coverage under GI Bill benefits; and
Whereas, Skilled trades is vital to the infrastructure of the state of Michigan. However, barriers exist to approving apprenticeship programs in Michigan, including the lack of an effective process to approve apprenticeship programs; and
Whereas, The proposed federal legislation, S.760, Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act, seeks to expand opportunities for veterans to register for apprenticeships. Changing requirements for registered apprenticeship programs is necessary to enable veterans greater use of their education assistance benefits. Improving coordination between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will ensure that all veterans are aware that GI Bill benefits can be used to cover costs of apprenticeship programs; and
Whereas, Senate bill 760 will improve the federal process for designating approved apprenticeship programs, removing the need for the current ineffective state process and resulting in increased veteran access to apprenticeship programs which teach skills through paid, on-the-job experiences; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we support passage of federal legislation to increase apprenticeship opportunities for veterans; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.