One of the challenges many veterans face when they re-integrate into civilian life is finding a job. Though many veterans operate heavy machinery, drive specialty vehicles or perform other specialized duties, additional training and testing is required before they can get a job outside the military. A bill introduced in the state House would change that.
“It requires that commonwealth agencies consider a veteran’s military education, training and experience for the purpose of receiving possible waivers from requirements for professional licenses or credentials,” said Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon County), the bill’s sponsor.
That, said Heffley, will help put veterans back to work faster and avoid redundant training. He said much of the training they receive in the military is similar to how they’d be trained as a civilian.
“We train our military to be the best in the world and we should, as a commonwealth, recognize the experience that those veterans have,” said Heffley.
A similar bill was passed by the House in 2012 with unanimous support, but it was referred back to committee because of amendments and never made it back out of committee. Heffley said he hopes the bill can make it through the process this year without many added amendments.
“The biggest thing we want to do is assist veterans in that transition to civilian life, help them find a job,” said Heffley, “and I think this is a big step in helping to speed up that process.”
The bill is up for consideration in the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. It is expected to be heard this week, after being delayed Monday because of bad weather.
