Governor Pat McCrory signs bill that helps service members get certified more quickly in career fields
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Military service members go through a lot. On Thursday, they got a small boost from state legislators and the governor.
"We're going to welcome people who are coming back home from Iraq and Afghanistan and give them a heroes welcome," said Governor Pat McCrory. "In addition to that, we're going to try to help them land on their feet."
Thursday, McCrory signed a bill that helps military servicemembers and veterans get certified more quickly in fields they've already been working in, such as law enforcement and the medical field.
"When these service members have done this skill for six to 10 years, they really don't need a two year degree program, what they need a licensed certificate or certification," said the state's National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer, Rick Comer.
Comer said he pounded the pavement at most of the state's 58 community colleges to help make the bill a reality.
He said in some cases, service members will be able to get certifications in five months instead of almost two years. The state already has accelerated programs for truck drivers.
They are currently working on other programs for these military personnel, like fast certifications for paramedics and IT professionals.
"They're excited that they can go obtain that in a shorter period of time and reduce that time between their unemployment or leaving the service, to getting gainful employment in a good paying job," Comer said. "Got a lot of interest from employers. Employers are excited about hiring veterans."
