Page 13 - HIWT Fall 2012 World of Welding
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hiwt@welding.org                                       HOBART INSTITUTE OF WELDING TECHNOLOGY




            VOW TO HIRE HEROS ACT OF 2011                      LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

            (Continued from page 12)
                                                               I have been in welding all my life.  I started in 1958 when I
                                                               joined the U.S. Army.  I am now 72 and teaching at Industrial
            VETERANS WITH A SERVICE-CONNECTED  High School, Vanderbilt, Texas.  If I can pass on some of the
            DISABILITY MAY QUALIFY FOR ADDITIONAL              things that I have learned in all these years, then the Lord has
            VOCATIONAL          REHABILITATION          AND    blessed me.  ~ J.D.S., Texas
            EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

                                                               COMMENTS FROM RECENT STUDENTS
            Veterans who previously completed a  VA vocational   The Welding for the Nonwelder course was excellent.  As a
            rehabilitation program and have used the initial 26 weeks   marine inspector, this will be a phenonmenal tool to ensure

            of unemployment benefits may qualify for an additional 12   the safety of vessels that travel our U.S. Waters. - R.M.
            months of VA vocational rehabilitation benefi ts.
                                                               Great course! Instructors are very professional and
                ¾ You must have previously completed a VA Vocational   knowledgeable.  I learned a great deal about the different
                   Rehabilitation and Employment program and been   types of welding applications and have a great appreciation
                   considered “rehabilitated” by VA.           for those who do the work. Thank you! - J.T.
                ¾ You must apply within six months of using up
                   your initial 26 weeks of unemployment benefi ts.   This course exposed me to how difficult a welder’s job is.  It

                   You may still qualify for extended or emergency   will help me relate to industry in my everyday job.  Instructors
                   unemployment benefi ts.                      and facility were excellent and highly advanced.   - S.R.
                ¾ You can apply now, but cannot start any education
                   or training until June 1, 2012 and
                   you must apply to VA by March
                   31, 2014.
                ¾ VA may offer incentive payments
                   to encourage employers to hire
                   and train program participants.
                ¾ VA may be able to reimburse an
                   employer up to one-half your
                   annual salary for 6 months or
                   longer
                ¾ This can provide you with a
                   competitive  advantage  with
                   employers
                ¾ You must apply and qualify for
                   VA vocational rehabilitation

                   benefits prior to being hired

            To apply or learn more information about
            VRAP or  Vocational Rehabilitation and

            Employment benefits, including on how
            to apply please call 1-800-827-1000 or
            visit www.benefi ts.va.gov/VOW and fi ll
            out an online application (VONAPP), or
            Complete  VA Form 28-1900,  Disabled
            Veterans  Application for Vocational
            Rehabilitation, and submit it to the nearest
            VA Regional Offi ce.




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