Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/608109
November 23 - December 13, 2015 16 Working Veterans l WorkingWorld.com FEATURE ARTICLE by Aaron Severson T he G.I. Bill is a great way to get a college education, but what if college is not for you? If you're a veteran, in the reserves or serving with the National Guard and you want to pursue a hands-on field like auto body repair, carpentry or plumbing, you may be able to use your G.I. Bill benefits for job training instead of college. APPRENTICESHIPS AND OTJ TRAINING Two types of job training are available: • Apprenticeships: In an apprenticeship, you work while receiving additional classroom training related to your job. For example, you might work as an electrician's apprentice while studying electrical repair. In California, apprenticeship programs must be at least 2,000 hours; most programs generally take two to four years to complete. • On-the-job (OTJ) training programs: In an OTJ training program, you receive training as part of your work. OTJ training programs generally last six to 24 months and are not required to include separate classroom work (although some do). For either type of training, you must be a regular employee (not an intern, contractor or temp) and the program must be registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Apprenticeship Standars (DAS). Many California businesses and government agencies offer apprenticeship and OTJ training programs, including unions, local utilities, police and fire departments and companies like Mattel, Sonoco and Zacky Farms. A growing number of veterans are taking advantage of these programs: According to Don Merrill, a DAS senior consultant and the division's V.A. liaison, more than 5,000 California veterans were enrolled in apprenticeship programs in the first six months of 2012 alone. TAPPING YOUR G.I. BILL BENEFITS If you're eligible for G.I. Bill educational benefits and enrolled in a qualifying apprenticeship or OTJ training program, you can receive your benefits as tax-free monthly payments during your training period, in addition to your normal salary or wages. Your benefits will be lower than if you were a full-time college student: In general, the first six months will be paid at the three-quarter-time rate, with the rest of your training paid at the half- time rate. However, you can continue receiving payments until your training is complete or until you exhaust your benefits. Here are the requirements: • You must be eligible for G.I. Bill educational benefits. • You must be a veteran honorable discharged within the last 10 years On-the-Job Training for Veterans A hands-on alternative for Working Vets If you're a veteran, in the reserves or serving with the National Guard and you want to pursue a hands-on field like auto body repair, carpentry or plumbing, you may be able to use your G.I. Bill benefits for job training instead of college.