Each year, more than 200,000 military personnel leave active service in the United States. Despite this large number, only a small fraction—0.03%—use their G.I. Bill benefits to pursue apprenticeship programs that could lead to skilled, long-term careers.
In response to these trends, the White House has issued an executive order with the goal of creating one million new apprenticeship opportunities nationwide. The U.S. Department of Labor recently organized a roundtable discussion focused on improving access for veterans to these programs.
One issue discussed was that many veterans do not consider apprenticeships because G.I. Bill benefits are more generous for college attendance than for apprenticeship training. Roundtable participants explored different ways to address this perception and noted that the lack of a housing allowance for apprenticeships is a significant barrier. There are also specialized opportunities in certain trades, but many veterans may not have yet decided which trade they want to enter.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) currently maintains over 1,000 collective bargaining agreements that include some form of apprenticeship training across hundreds of skilled professions.
Richard Evans, Assistant Director of the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department, spoke about the union’s efforts at the roundtable: “The IAM Union and the Machinists Institute have a program in Washington state that offers daycare, 24/7, so that our apprentices can work shift work if that is what is needed to stay in the program,” said Evans. “We have a myriad of support services built into IAM Union membership. We just need people to realize these support services are there and how to utilize them.”
The AFL-CIO Veterans program also provides unique opportunities for veteran apprenticeships and emphasizes broader support for members’ well-being.
“Unions care about the other 16 hours in the day outside your work,” said Craig Romanovich, Director of the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council. “If we can make life better in all aspects, you are going to be a better employee.”
