Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Congress that would make it easier for veterans to access trucking apprenticeship programs with their Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits.
The Veterans Transition to Trucking Act would allow VA to approve programs operated by interstate commercial trucking companies, streamlining the approval process and cutting unnecessary red tape, making it difficult for veterans to partake in apprenticeships that operate across multiple states.
The legislation was introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
“Trucking apprenticeships offer meaningful employment and a fulfilling career pathway, and we owe it to our nation’s veterans to provide support as they seek next steps in their transition to civilian life. With the Veterans Transition to Trucking Act, we eliminate bureaucratic red tape hindering veterans from accessing trucking apprenticeships and ensure that veterans are able to access these programs through their VA education benefits. This commonsense legislation allows veterans to more easily access necessary training for a rewarding career when they return home,” said Blumenthal.
Trucking companies currently operating in more than one state must get approval from each state to allow veterans to use their VA education benefits for apprenticeship programs with their company. In some cases, these companies have opted out of offering apprenticeships for veterans due to the burdensome red tape required to get more than 20 different approvals. The legislation would allow interstate commercial carriers to get one approval for their apprenticeship programs from VA and make it easier for veterans to access trucking apprenticeship programs.
“Veterans deserve support,” said Cassidy. “Many struggle to find work when they come home. Having a commercial driver’s license opens a lot of doors for them.”
The legislation is supported by numerous Veterans Service Organizations and stakeholders, including the Disabled American Veterans and the American Trucking Association.
“By slashing bureaucratic red tape for VA education benefits, the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act would expand career paths in trucking and make it easier for veterans to find good-paying jobs behind the wheel,” said ATA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.