Service Members, Veterans, and Apprenticeship
We recognize that transitioning from military to civilian life can be a difficult and complicated experience for service members. A military career is not always transferable to a civilian career and many find themselves asking “what now?”. The answer could be apprenticeship!
What is a registered apprenticeship?
A Registered Apprenticeship is a job! An apprentice is an employee who earns a paycheck while attaining skills through on-the-job mentoring from a qualified mentor and related technical instruction in a classroom or online. Apprenticeship prepares and trains you - the worker - to meet the employer's needs. As an apprentice your wage will increase as you learn more skills and progress through your training. An apprenticeship can be as short as one year or as long as six years, depending on the occupation.
Apprenticeship can be a great transitional tool to enhance the skills you learned in the military, learn how to apply them to the civilian sector, and to create new ones – all while earning a paycheck. Active duty service members can explore apprenticeship opportunities through the United States Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP). Service members separating soon can take advantage of the DoD Skillbridge program. Veterans can take advantage of numerous apprenticeship opportunities to help establish a long-lasting civilian career.
Benefits for Veterans
- A paycheck
- Working for top companies
- A career
- National industry certification
Benefits for Hiring Veterans
- Work ethic
- Opportunity for direct entry
- Recruiting and retaining skilled talent
Apply Your GI Bill Benefits
Your Post 9-11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill may be applied to an eligible Veterans Affairs (VA) approved apprenticeship program.
Post 9-11 GI Bill
- Eligible veterans can apply their GI Bill benefits to receive a monthly housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies, in addition to the Registered Apprenticeship wages.
Montgomery GI Bill
- Eligible veterans can apply their GI Bill benefits to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.
To find out whether the apprenticeship program you’re interested in qualifies, ask your employer if the program is “GI Bill Benefit Approved” and contact the VA with any questions about your benefits.
