On Thursday a group of senators unveiled new legislation to expand the use of the post-9/11 GI Bill, this time including cash for on-the-job training programs, certification and testing fees, apprenticeship costs and other non-university options.

Lawmakers had talked about including such programs in the revamped military education benefits when they approved them two years ago, and partial coverage is available for some of those types of programs. But veterans groups have been lobbying for an expansion of those options, noting that a traditional four-year degree doesn't work for every returning solider.

Under the new post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, troops who served on active duty for at least three years since September 2001 are eligible for a full four years of tuition at a state college, plus a monthly housing stipend and $1,000 a year for books and supplies.

In a statement bill co-sponsor Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., noted the high unemployment among returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans (over 11 percent, according to September statistics). "The GI Bill the President signed this year opened the doors to higher education for veterans but in these tough economic times we need to expand that opportunity to include jobs skills and workforce training.”

The legislation, if passed, would charge the VA wil allowing new GI bill benefits to be transferred to apprenticeship costs and other on-the-job training. Veterans in those programs would be able to receive monthly housing stipends along with associated job costs, as well as certain relocation and travel expenses. Some tutoring costs would also be covered.

“Not every returning soldier chooses to go to college but they still want a job," noted sponsor Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. "Job training, from pipe-fitting to law enforcement, should be covered by the GI Bill.”

[PHOTO: Department of Defense]