Bill would push states to help jobless veterans

Bill would push states to help jobless veterans
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 1, 2012

An Ohio congressman believes he has a way to expand job opportunities for separating service members: Link federal funding to a requirement that states have licensing and professional certification rules that recognize the value of military training.

Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, an Army National Guard lieutenant colonel with 26 years of service, gives credit for the idea to veterans who met with him last fall to discuss the high unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

His bill, HR 4115, is fairly simple: As a condition of receiving employment and training funds from the Labor Department for veterans programs, a state would have to consider granting state licenses and certificates based on military training and experience. This is not a guarantee for a credential, only a requirement that the value of training be taken into account.
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