Idaho receives veteran training funds

COEUR d'ALENE - The Idaho Department of Labor was one of 11 entities across the country awarded grants to provide training services to veterans in high demand industries, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Tuesday.

The $750,000 grant will provide training to veterans in high growth industries such as information technology certifications and boot camps, truck driver CDL training, hazardous materials removal, pharmacy technicians, medical records and health information technicians, physical therapist aids, software developers, web developers, computer network support, hybrid automotive mechanics and industrial, hospitality and the culinary arts, among others.

"This is a great opportunity for our veterans to receive the training they need to find employment in a tough economy," said Chris Ramos, Idaho Department of Labor veterans coordinator in a press release.

Details of when the Veterans' Workforce Investment Program will be up and running to offer services to Idaho's veterans are not yet available.

The grants are part of efforts by the USDOL Veterans' Employment and Training Service to expand educational opportunities for veterans, support incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans, ensure priority "Gold Card" services for veterans through the American Job Center network and help veterans match skills related to their military occupations with those required by civilian jobs.