VA seeks training providers to ready Veterans for high-tech careers

WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it is inviting training providers to participate in a new pilot program to prepare Veterans for careers in the high-tech workforce.

The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program, for which Veterans can apply beginning in April, is designed to give Veterans more options and access to nontraditional training to acquire skills in information technology, computer software, information science, media application, data processing and computer programming fields.

“We are invested in ensuring Veterans make successful transitions into their post-military career,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We are excited to partner with successful training providers who will help pave the way for Veterans seeking meaningful employment in their field of study.”

VET TEC training providers will have access to student Veterans who are motivated, hard-working team players. They will operate under an incentivized payment structure designed to ensure Veterans complete their training and land good jobs. The structure includes the following:

• When Veterans begin their courses, VA will pay the training provider 25 percent of tuition and mandatory fees.
• When a Veteran graduates, VA will pay another 25 percent of the tuition and mandatory fees.
• When a Veteran lands a job in his or her area of study and training, VA will pay the last 50 percent of tuition and mandatory fees.

Veterans will receive a monthly housing stipend while in training. This benefit will be modeled after the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing rate.

The VET TEC webpage provides additional requirements and application instructions. VA will review applications from training providers to ensure proposed programs meet VET TEC criteria. Selected training providers will be notified in early spring.

VET TEC is part of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, commonly referred to as the Forever GI Bill. The Forever GI Bill was signed into law Aug. 16, 2017, and further expands GI Bill benefits. For more information on VA education benefits, visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/.