CRAVEN COUNTY -- Veterans along the coast can now take workforce development training programs paid for by the G.I. Bill.
Craven Community College serves students at both the New Bern and Havelock Campuses. Many of them are veterans.
"Most people leaving the military feel I have to go to school for two or four years to use my G.I. Bill. With these workforce developments, we are more certification-driven not curricular and credit hour driven, so it's sometimes hard to get the VA to approve those courses," said Robin Matthews, dean of Workforce Development.
But recently the college announced three workforce development training programs qualified for the G.I. Bill.
"CDL, which is seven weeks and four days of training, the barbering program is 13 months, and the Federal Aviation Administration Airframes and Powerplants Program is 16 weeks for those Marines who already have aviation training," said Matthews.
It helps students pursue their careers in a short period of time.
"With military members they usually have certain security accesses. So, if you think about a transportation logistics company that's trying to get onto Marine bases, any military base, those are ideal candidates they are looking for to hire," said Jeff Schulze, workforce development coordinator.
"The post 9/11 will provide a monthly stipend in addition to paying their tuition and other charges," said Matthews.
Craven Community College is also working toward having other certification courses approved by the G.I. Bill like welding, plumbing and carpentry.
"You've heard this before too, not everyone is fit for college. This is a great opportunity to get something that's readily available to them. Quickly available, quickly achieved," said Schulze.