Peace Garden News

BISMARCK – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Angus King (I-ME), members of the Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) and Armed Services (SASC), introduced the VET-TEC Authorization Act to permanently continue a successful career program set to expire soon.

Since 2017, the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET-TEC) pilot program has created opportunities for thousands of veterans to secure jobs in the technology sector by providing tuition support at eligible institutions, housing stipends, and connections with prospective employers.

“The VET-TEC pilot program has helped establish effective pathways for veterans to launch their careers in tech. Our bill builds on its successes by making the program permanent and expanding participants’ eligibility,” said Senator Cramer. “Supporting our veterans includes enhancing the resources and opportunities available to them.”

“The VET-TEC program has been an exceptional resource for thousands of veterans looking for good-paying jobs in the tech sector,” said Senator King. “The VET-TEC Authorization Act would permanently authorize the successful program while expanding eligibility for both veterans and training institutions. It’s a commonsense step to give even more veterans access to opportunities in tech and encourage the private sector to hire those who served. I appreciate Senator Cramer’s partnership on this bipartisan bill; I hope it can pass swiftly to expand on the proven benefits of the VET-TEC program.”

“At Student Veterans of America (SVA), we know not every veteran pursues a traditional higher education and that many are also interested in tech careers, like computer programming, data processing, computer software, and others. The VET-TEC pilot program helped them achieve their goals and resulted in meaningful employment for 66 percent of participants within half a year of completing it,” said Tammy Barlet, Vice President of Government Affairs at SVA. “SVA supports the VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023, which represents an essential first step toward making this popular and effective program permanent. We thank Senators King and Cramer for introducing this vital legislation to solidify a successful pilot program.”

Click here for bill text.

Background:

The VET-TEC pilot program has 14 partner employers, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Information and Technology, and 31 approved providers who have trained over 8,000 veterans. The average starting salary for those who have secured jobs through the program is $65,061.

The VET-TEC Authorization Act would make the VET-TEC pilot initiative permanent, with new funding appropriated every five years. It would also improve eligibility for the program, help new educational institutions become providers, and allow them to offer part-time training programs.

Original source can be found here.