The VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 created a program called the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP),which provides Montgomery GI Bill Benefits to unemployed veterans age 35-60. The program, a joint offering of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the US Department of Labor (DoL) will help veterans gain high demand skills to more quickly enter the work force.
Use VRAP benefits to reenter the workforce
To be eligible, veterans must be age 35-60, have a discharge rating higher than dishonorable, must be unemployed and not have additional VA educational benefits, must not be receiving VA benefits for unemployability, or be enrolled in any other state or federal job-training program.
Once VRAP eligibility is established, veterans must enroll in a high demand occupation. This list covers the jobs currently approved as high-demand by the VA.
List of VRAP High Demand Occupations
The goal of the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program is to help unemployed veterans find work as quickly as possible. Because of this, only certain jobs and education benefits qualify for VRAP benefits.Benefits are limited to Associate’s Degrees, non-degree certificates, and qualified professional licenses and certifications in certain career fields.
This list covers the available career fields, and includes jobs in a variety of industries. Be sure to choose one of the jobs on this list as you will need to include the name and address of the school, as well as the occupation when applying for VRAP benefits.
For your convenience, we have copied and pasted the list to our site. The VA lists these high demand occupations on a pdf, which you can find here.
Management Occupations:
1. General and Operations Managers
2. Constructions Managers
Business and Financial Operations Occupations:
3. Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
4. Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
5. Claim Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
6. Business Operations Specialists, All Other
7. Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
8. Loan Officers
9. Tax Preparers
Computer and Mathematical Occupations:
10. Computer Support Specialists
Architecture and Engineering Occupations:
11. Architectural and Civil Drafters
12. Mechanical Drafters
13. Civil Engineering Technicians
14. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians
15. Environmental Engineering Technician
16. Industrial Engineering Technicians
17. Mechanical Engineering Technicians
18. Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
19. Surveying and Mapping Technicians
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations:
20. Chemical Technicians
21. Geological and Petroleum Technicians
22. Social Science Research Assistants
23. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
24. Forest and Conservation Technicians
25. Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
Community and Social Services Occupations:
26. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Legal Occupations:
27. Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Education, Training, and Library Occupations:
28. Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
29. Library Technicians
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
30. Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
31. Actors
32. Athletes and Sports Competitors
33. Coaches and Scouts
34. Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
35. Choreographers
36. Musicians and Singers
37. Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
38. Broadcast Technicians
39. Photographers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations:
40. Registered Nurses
41. Radiation Therapists
42. Respiratory Therapists
43. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
44. Dental Hygienists
45. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
46. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
47. Nuclear Medicine Technologists
48. Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
49. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
50. Dietetic Technicians
51. Pharmacy Technicians
52. Psychiatric Technicians
53. Surgical Technologists
54. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
55. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
56. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
57. Opticians, Dispensing
58. Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Healthcare Support Occupations:
59. Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants
60. Occupational Therapy Assistants
61. Physical Therapist Assistants
62. Physical Therapist Aides
63. Massage Therapists
64. Dental Assistants
65. Medical Assistants
66. Medical Equipment Preparers
67. Medical Transcriptionists
Protective Service Occupations:
68. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
69. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
70. First-Line Supervisors of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers
71. Firefighters
72. Correctional Officers and Jailers
73. Detectives and Criminal Investigators
74. Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
75. Private Detectives and Investigators
76. Transportation Security Screeners (Federal Only)
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations:
77. Cooks, Private Household
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations:
78. Pest Control Workers
Personal Care and Service Occupations:
79. Gaming Dealers
80. Funeral Service Managers, Directors, Morticians, and Undertakers
81. Barbers
82. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
83. Manicurists and Pedicurists
84. Skincare Specialists
85. Tour Guides and Escorts 18B
86. Travel Guides
Sales and Related Occupations:
87. Residential Advisors Occupations
88. Advertising Sales Agents
89. Insurance Sales Agents
90. Travel Agents
91. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
92. Real Estate Sales Agents
93. Sales and Related Workers, All Other Office and Administrative Support Occupations
94. Bill and Account Collectors
95. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
96. Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
97. Procurement Clerks
98. Brokerage Clerks
99. Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
100. Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
101. Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
102. Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
103. Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
104. Legal Secretaries
105. Medical Secretaries
106. Data Entry Keyers
107. Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
Construction and Extraction:
108. Boilermakers
109. Brickmasons and Blockmasons
110. Stonemasons
111. Carpenters
112. Floor Sanders and Finishers
113. Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
114. Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
115. Pile-Driver Operators
116. Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
117. Electricians
118. Glaziers
119. Insulation Workers, Mechanical
120. Plumbers, Pipefitters; and Steamfitters
121. Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
122. Sheet Metal Workers
123. Structural Iron and Steel Workers
124. Construction and Building Inspectors
125. Fence Erectors
126. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
127. Highway Maintenance Workers
128. Segmental Pavers
129. Construction and Related Workers, All Other
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations:
130. Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
131. Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairs
132. Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
133. Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
134. Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers
135. Security and Fire Alarm System Installers
136. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
137. Automotive Body and Related Repairers
138. Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
139. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
140. Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
141. Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
142. Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
143. Rail Car Repairers
144. Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
145. Motorcycle Mechanics
146. Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
147. Bicycle Repairers
148. Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
149. Tire Repairers and Changers
150. Mechanical Door Repairers
151. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
152. Home Appliance Repairers
153. Industrial Machinery Mechanics
154. Maintenance Workers, Machinery
155. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
156. Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
157. Medical Equipment Repairers
158. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
159. Commercial Divers
160. Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
161. Helpers – Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
162. Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
Production Occupations:
163. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
164. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
165. Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
166. Team Assemblers
167. Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other
168. Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
169. Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
170. Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
171. Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
172. Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
173. Machinists
174. Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
175. Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
176. Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Applying for VRAP Benefits
You will need to apply for VRAP online via eBenefits (also known as VONAPP). If you are unfamiliar with VONAPP, you can use our tutorials to learn how to create a VONAPP Account, and learn how to apply for benefits with VONAPP. It’s important to note that applications for VRAP benefits are limited to the first 99,000 applications, or until October 1, 2013, whichever comes first.
Slots are limited to the first 45,000 qualified applicants in FY 2012, and the first 54,000 in 2013 (dates of training are currently limited to October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014).
When applying, be sure to have your direct deposit information for your bank (routing number and bank account number) so the VA can deposit your GI Bill benefits directly into your bank account. You will also need to provide the name and location of the school, as well as the occupation from this list.
Comments
NOTE : its a one year program and training has to be at a community college or certain other locations.
Many of the High Demand Occupations require far more edu and at locations not approved for VRAP.
Check out the details.
There are almost 180 available jobs to choose from, so there are bound to be some which require varying amounts of training. It’s a good idea to find the plan that is closest to your desired career field, then investigate the requirements before signing up. A veteran may not be able to find his or her first choice, but with so many options, they may be able to find something that is close to their desired career field. It’s better to take the training while it is available and learn skills that can be transferred to more than one career field if possible. It’s also important to note that many jobs offer more on the job training once you are hired, so sometimes the most important thing is to get hired in the first place, and go from there.
I attended a community college near Seattle after separating from the AF in 91. I was able to get a discount on my tuition for being a veteran.
I am approved for the program…the difficulty is you must be unemployed, 30-60, and yet pay for 1st month to start any training. This part was not completely thought through. Unemployed in many cases means no extra money. So you can feel stuck without any real chance to take and training classes…
I am approved for the program…the difficulty is you must be unemployed, 30-60, and yet pay for 1st month to start any training. This part was not completely thought through. Unemployed in many cases means no extra money. So you can feel stuck without any real chance to take any training classes…
Keith, My vet rep @ school helped me to get a one month advance to pay for classes since i am not eligible for grants or loans- long story….. Most others get a fed or state loan to help up front and then when they get the VRAP pay it off right away to avoid interest. There are also grants available for most. Go to the schools veterans and financial aide office ASAP to check out your options.
This VRAP program sounds great! However, if you read the fine print this is a difficult program at best. If there is a break in the school semester, you don’t get paid for those days you are on break! It has to be a two year “only” school. It won’t pay for a four year school even if you need just 3 classes like I do for a B.A. It pays you the following month so you have to come up with the initial tuition if you are in California. Out of state is almost 3K for the required four classes. Leave it to our government to dangle a carrot and make it almost impossible to go to school. If you find a tech school that is 100% on line it won’t authorize it. I’m sure it works for some but most of the guys I know in this age group it sucks.
I agree it is the same for KY, and remember you must be not employed to qualify, but yet you have to come up with the first months money to go to school. I looked under the high demand jobs in the transportation section and pilot co-pilot is listed, yet you can’t go to a four year school to get the training. Anyone that understands working in the flying business commercially understands it needs a four year school to get hired. Great ideas not thought through. I would love to get help with training to finish my degree in Aviation, but this VRAP doesn’t seem to be the help. I was hoping some helicopter flight or ground school would be VRAP approved but have not heard back yet. In the program but unable to get a penny of help to date. Disapointed with the system at this point.
Sorry that is disappointed with the VRAP system.
I recently learned about this VRAP program. Do anyone know what school is avaliable in the Los Angeles area for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports & Media Occupation (under the VRAP system)?
I will tell you the advice I have been given. Find the school first, get with there VA representative to confirm that they are part of the VRAP program, and that they can give you a certificate that can be completed within the 12 months required. It is hard to find programs in many of the choices…good luck. Plus to qualify you had to be unemployed and between 30 and 60. But if you do not have do not have extra cash at your disposal to start the first month you can’t even use the VRAP. Make sure the school or training is not at a 4 year university of college.