|
VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site
Be sure to get all five
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News
Senate CVA
Veterans' News
VA Press
Releases
VSO Press
Releases
Download your
free copy of the
2008 VA benefits
handbook here...
|
Printer-Friendly Version
COLLEGE TO OFFER "GREEN COLLAR" JOB TRAINING
FOR NEW VETERANS -- The coursework is being
developed, and will likely focus on fields such
as
wetland delineation and natural resource
management.
Story here...
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news
/2008/apr/03/oc-to-offer-145green-collar-job-training-for-new/
Story below:
-------------------------
OC to Offer ‘Green Collar' Job Training for New
Veterans
By Andrew Binion
BREMERTON -- Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will have an
opportunity to earn certificates for "green collar" jobs under a state
program coming this fall to Olympic College.
On Thursday, education and veterans affairs officials met at the college
to begin discussions on the Veterans Environmental Academy program,
tentatively scheduled to begin in September.
The program, already under way at Green River Community College in Auburn,
got a boost this last legislative session when lawmakers added $250,000 to
expand the program. That money will be split with Olympic College and
Spokane Community College to pay for 25 new slots. Olympic College's
program will include 12 or 13 veterans.
"We hope to expand this," said state Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor,
who attended the meeting and was credited with ensuring the money was
included in the state's supplemental budget. "This is just step two."
The coursework is being developed, and will
likely focus on fields such as wetland delineation and natural resource
management.
"There are a lot of paths it can take," said Judy Brown, dean for
mathematics, engineering, science and health. The curriculum will likely
include traditional college classes that can be used toward a two-year
associate degree, she said.
That idea was supported by John E. Lee, director of the state Department
of Veterans Affairs, who said some of the veterans he has met began their
higher educations and didn't want to stop.
"I could see it on their faces, they have been bitten by the education
bug, they wanted more," Lee said.
Jeff Reyes, a Veterans Conservation Corps case manager in Clallam County,
said the idea has had a "ripple effect" and is piquing interest all over.
He said when veterans leave the service, they often say they do not need
assistance. But after being involved in a mission of such "bigness," like
the Iraq war, the deflating feeling upon returning home can have
consequences, and he sees them a few months later.
"They come back and say, 'What am I doing now?'" Reyes said.
Iraq, Afghanistan and other war on terrorism veterans are eligible, but
criteria also includes an interest in environmental restoration and
conservation, and a willingness to complete the intensive 10-month
training and to attend class in Bremerton. Participants will receive a
$600 monthly stipend.
Getting veterans involved in the evolving industry of environmentally
sound construction and management can give them a sense of purpose, and
the work itself can be therapeutic, officials said.
All agreed that the training should be tied to jobs after graduation.
Olympic College President David Mitchell said the large military community
in Kitsap and Mason counties makes the college a natural site for the
program.
"This is part of our calling," he said.
Mike Gregoire, husband of Gov. Chris Gregoire, attended the meeting and
called veterans affairs a "passion," having served as an Army officer in
the Vietnam War.
"It's a natural fit for me to be involved," he said.
-------------------------
posted by Larry
Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
Don't forget to read all of today's VA
News Flashes (click here)
Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage
email Larry
(go
back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page) |
Military
Medical Malpractice
Legal
Network
VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site
|
