Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the More Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009. Madam Speaker, having the right skills is critical to finding good-paying employment in today's job market. The Assistant…
Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the More Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009. Madam Speaker, having the right skills is critical to finding good-paying employment in today's job market. The Assistant Secretary of Labor administers the Veterans Workforce Investment Program, VWIP, a grant program to State and local governments, private, not-for-profit organizations including community based and faith based organizations to fund a wide range of employment and training programs for veterans. Eligible veterans are those with service-connected disabilities, significant barriers to employment, veterans who served on active duty during a war or a recognized campaign or expedition, and recently separated veterans.
It makes no sense to spend millions on State employment placement systems if veterans lack relevant job skills. Unfortunately, funding for training programs such as VWIP, which directly targets veterans, is severely underfunded. This legislation would change that by authorizing $20 million annually, almost triple today's funding level.
Madam Speaker, the current $7 million appropriation is a small drop in the bucket towards meeting the skills-improvement needs of today's 651,000 unemployed veterans. This bill would significantly improve education and training opportunities for those who have worn the uniforms of our armed forces.
I urge my colleagues to cosponsor and support the measure.
