TESTIMONY OF

Peter s. gaytan

National legislative DIRECTOR of amvets

BEFORE THE

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON BENEFITS

DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

veterans’ employment: credential

(licensure, certification, accreditation, and

 apprenticeship requirements

September 27, 2000

 

Mr. Chairman, and Members of the Committee:

I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony this morning on behalf of our over 250,000 members.  Neither AMVETS nor myself have been the recipient of any federal grants or contracts during FY-00 or the previous two years.  

            At a time in our history when unemployment is approaching record lows, the economy is strong, and, for the first time in several decades the national debate seems increasingly focused on what to do with budget surpluses rather than how to deal with deficits.  One can reasonably argue that indeed times are good. They are – unless you happen to be a veteran facing separation or retirement from military service and are looking for a job.  

Hardly a day passes without an article appearing in a newspaper or other periodical commenting on corporate America’s urgent need for skilled employees.  While the American job market continues to thrive, American service members are not being recognized for the education and experience they have gained while serving their country.  These employers are not aware of the advantages this veterans population, and those who preceded them, bring to the employment market place.  Additionally, these veterans are not being considered for these positions because the civilian communities fail to recognize their military experience and training.   

The task before us today, Mr. Chairman, is to enable the more than 250,000 service members projected to separate from the U.S. Armed Forces in each of the next several years, to acquire the civilian licensure and certification they need to compete in the civilian job market.   

            I would like to commend Chairman Quinn as well as the American Legion for their leadership in organizing the Transition Assistance Conference held in June of this year.  The conference brought together relevant organizations, offices and agencies with an interest in licensure and certification issues.  The conference and this hearing today will hopefully provide the momentum needed to develop a congressional commitment to creating a mechanism by which military education and experience will be recognized by civilian licensing agencies. 

The education, training and experience obtained by American servicemen and women are of the highest quality attainable.  Personnel transitioning from active duty military to the civilian workforce possess extensive knowledge and hands-on experience that only military training can provide.  As a recently discharged member of the U.S. Air Force and a current member of the Air Force Reserve, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most knowledgeable and experienced technicians and specialists in today’s armed forces.  These same men and women are hoping to continue working in their respective career fields once they leave the ranks of the active duty forces.   

Despite the high level of training and experience America’s service members receive, the civilian workforce is failing to recognize today’s veteran as a viable candidate for employment.  For example, before becoming an Avionics Technician qualified to work on a C-5 – the largest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory – each recruit must successfully pass an eight-week electronics course before continuing on to a twenty four-week specialized training course in aircraft avionics.  These courses include extensive class study coupled with hands-on field operations that include tests involving highly technical equipment.  All training courses are divided into “blocks” of training.  A test is administered after each “block” and a passing grade must be achieved before advancing to the next “block”.  Once initial training is completed, each recruit receives continued specialized training at his or her permanent duty station.    

Even after completion of initial training and operating in a “real world” environment, military personnel are required to attend quality training and performance classes specific to their career fields in order to advance to higher skill levels and ultimately progress in rank.  With years of training and operational experience, transitioning service members are being denied positions for which they are more than qualified because the civilian institutions fail to recognize their experience. 

The training environment within the military promotes continued proficiency in all career fields.  Ignoring the qualifications of our military members is not only an injustice to veterans but it is also an injustice to America’s civilian workforce. 

Licensing and certification became an issue of concern within AMVETS when our National Service Officers (NSO’s) learned that civilian employers were not recognizing the military training and experience of our members due to the lack of civilian credentialing.  After researching the employment and training opportunities available to America’s veterans, AMVETS discovered that there is no central office or agency that provides the necessary information for veterans who are seeking official accreditation for their military education and experience.   

In an effort to continue our service to America’s veterans, and assist those veterans transitioning to the civilian community, AMVETS, through our Ohio Department is developing the AMVETS Career Center (ACC).  The ACC will provide employment transition assistance to recently separated military members in the state of Ohio.  Veterans will receive individual assessments by ACC staff members to determine to what extent their military training and experience can be applied to civilian licensing and certification.  After assessing the transferability of their education and experience, the ACC will help individuals identify additional training that may be needed in order for them to receive full recognition in the civilian workforce.   

The training provided by the ACC will be targeted toward those veterans who separated from military service in the past 48 months and other targeted veterans who may need remedial training to receive certification in a variety of career fields.  It is reported that recently separated veterans who register for unemployment compensation benefits remain on unemployment for an average period of 14 weeks compared to an average duration of 11.4 weeks for all other claimants.  It is our hope that through the assistance they receive from the ACC, these veterans will be able to obtain employment in a civilian career that gives merit to the education and experience they have gained during their military service.   

Currently, the ACC has received a state grant of $150,000 and we are seeking additional grants from the Department of Labor.  We hope to have the center operating by the first of the year.   

 Recently, AMVETS reaffirmed its support for the issue of licensure and certification during our 56^th Annual Convention when our membership adopted resolutions seeking support from the Department of Labor and the Department of Defense in developing programs explaining the process of licensure and certification as it relates to transitioning military members.   

AMVETS Resolution 00-54 calls for the Department of Labor to provide the resources necessary for veterans to transfer military training and experience into civilian credentialing without retraining. 

AMVETS Resolution 00-55 calls for the Department of Defense in partnership with the Department of Labor to develop programs that track military training requirements and how they compare to those needed for licensing and certification in the civilian workforce.  As recruits complete the training requirements of their respective military classifications they are also accomplishing the requirements they need for recognition by the civilian licensing agencies.  Once a service member is ready to transition from the military their requirements for accreditation have already been met.  Since their first day of service their education, training and experience have been tracked and recorded.   With an effective process in place, any member seeking accreditation in the civilian workforce should be considered qualified the moment they separate from the military.  

AMVETS will continue to work together with our fellow veterans service organizations, The Department of Labor, the Department of Defense and civilian licensing agencies to develop a program of skill recognition for America’s veterans.  Enabling members of our Armed Forces to smoothly transition into the civilian workforce will not only add value to military service but, will create a new generation of well trained, highly qualified professionals within the civilian job market. 

Mr. Chairman, that concludes my testimony.  On behalf of the members of AMVETS, I commend you on your leadership in calling this hearing.  I hope that this is only the beginning in a series of discussions addressing this important issue.  I look forward to working with you and the Committee in the future.  Thank you.