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The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (AOA) and Redstone Arsenal are working together to provide the first ever registered apprenticeship program for veterans.

Gary Davenport of U.S. Army TMDE Activity (Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment) at Redstone Arsenal began working with the AOA to create a registered apprenticeship for veterans to get specialized on-the-job training with competitive wages and a monthly housing allowance at no cost to the employer.

With the veteran apprenticeship program, U.S. Army TMDE Activity will also have access to VA Funds while maximizing benefits to those who have served this country.

“The AOA is very happy to be able to ensure our veterans get every possible benefit from registered apprenticeship programs. The program we were able to build with U.S. Army TMDE Activity at Redstone is a great example of the kind of incentives and supports available to get the expertise and dedication of veterans into the civilian workforce,” AOA Director Josh Laney said.

The AOA worked with James Thompson at the VA State Approving Agency and Davenport with U.S. Army TMDE Activity to make this first-of-a-kind registered veteran apprenticeship program a reality in our state.

“By working with the AOA, training providers and employers who build registered apprenticeship programs become automatically eligible for approval by the State Approving Agency for veteran’s programs,” Laney said. “This connects apprentices to a wide range of supports and brings the maximum value to employers. We look forward to many more successful connections in the years to come.”

Anyone interested in learning how your company can become “veteran friendlier” or in other apprenticeship programs, visit www.alapprentice.org.