(NAPSI)—The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor are teaming up on a program to provide retraining and employment assistance for up to 99,000 unemployed veterans, ages 35 to 60, to prepare them for high-demand jobs. The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) offers 12 months of training assistance to qualified unemployed veterans, equal to Montgomery GI Bill active duty rates-$1,564 per month. Eligible veterans must be enrolled in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-college degree or a certificate and train the veteran for a high-demand occupation, as defined by the Department of Labor. Each VRAP participant will receive employment assistance from the DOL. “The VRAP program gives unemployed veterans the opportunity to sharpen their skills through technical, vocational or academic retraining so they can find meaningful employment in high-demand jobs,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “Through collaborative outreach efforts with the DOL and other federal, state, local and public-private partners around the country, we will reach as many eligible unemployed veterans as possible, and help 99,000 veterans and their families secure lasting employment.” For more information on VRAP, the definition of “high-demand occupations” and how to apply, veterans can go to www.benefits.va.gov/VOW or call VA’s call center at 1-888-GI-BILL-1. Veterans may also access the VRAP application through eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov.   On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)

Veterans can sharpen their skills to find meaningful employment in a high-demand job. (NAPS)