Civilian Certifications for Veterans In recent years the Department of Defense and military services have increasingly incorporated civilian credentialing into their training for military programs. Some companies require special training for veterans or a license. Some jobs for veterans require civilian certifications and/or licenses related to their military occupational specialties. Certification plays a key role in obtaining jobs for veterans such as mechanics, installers to medical technicians to therapists to computer network engineers, Web site developers, and many, many others. A tradesman is a skilled manual worker in a particular trade or craft. At one time tradesman began as an apprentice, working for and learning from a master then goes on to become a Journeyman. In today’s market companies want to hire a fully licensed or certified welder. The unemployment rate for returning veterans is double that of other Americans. Various jobs for veterans are available but require licensing or certification. Vocational Certification Training for Veterans Programs are part of the GI Bill benefits. Non-College Degree Institutions offer certification training in high-paying no degree jobs. Air traffic controller, Storage and distribution manager, transportation manager are just some paying careers. The GI Bill provides veterans with wide access to colleges, military training programs and military training for veterans to make transition into civilian life satisfying. All Active Duty, selected Reserve and National Guard armed forces members are eligible to receive benefits through these programs. The Unites Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) provides active duty Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard servicemen on the job training and technical instruction in their current job and prepares them for a future civilian job in more than 125 occupations. Many returning veterans face career decisions. Some veteran job seekers are embarking on civilian careers for the very first time. Some are expecting to resume careers they put on hold for the military. Others may see a return from active duty as an opportunity to take a whole new career path. Nationally recognized Transition Assistance Program workshops can help make informed choices about education and employment and make transition back into work and home life smoother, more predictable, and more productive. Commonly known as TAP, these comprehensive workshops will help veteran job seekers to review the current situation, explore career options, set goals, make achievable plans and develop the job research and job-seeking skills you’ll need to turn those plans into reality. In recent years, the military has begun to recognize the value of obtaining civilian certification while serving in the military. The military has adapted some of their training for military veterans certifications to meet civilian certification standards, making it easier for military veterans to obtain occupational certification as civilians. Military training in the medical field for veteran job seekers has been successful because many of the medical commands have had their training for job programs accredited for civilian certification requirements. For example, Emergency Medical Technicians in all services are required to obtain certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. The purpose of the Licensing and Certification program is to aide veterans convert their military training and experience to a license or certification needed for a civilian career. Veteran job seekers may possess equivalent civilian credentials for employment that does not require a license or certification. Training for military and training for veterans aides the transition from military service to a civilian career that provides a job for veterans that provides a higher economic living standard. |