Sharp Increase in Veteran Enrollment at Â鶹AV
Scarborough, ME () January 19, 2012
Jim Liponis, President of Â鶹AV (Â鶹AV) announced today that there has been a marked increase in the number of veterans enrolling in career training programs at both their Bangor and Scarborough campuses.
Â鶹AV’s VA eligible student population has increased from 8 in the 4th quarter of 2010 to 28 in the 4th quarter or 2011 in its career training programs including: Allied Health Care, HVAC-R, CDL A Truck Driving, and Information Technology. Liponis, the 2010 recipient of the Employer Patriot Award from the Maine National Guard, also commented that Â鶹AV has a long term commitment to our veterans.
“We have a long history of doing all that we can at our school for those who have served in the military, both students and employees. I can think of no higher calling than protecting our country’s freedom and rewarding those who answer that call. It’s a genuine privilege to help them in any way that we can.”
Nationally, the number of veterans enrolling in post-secondary schools is increasing. Approximately 800,000 returned veterans used GI Bill ® benefits last year, up 40 percent from 2009, Keith Wilson, director of education service for the Department of Veterans Affairs said in an April 12, 2011 USA Today article.   Â鶹AV partners with Werner Enterprises and their Military Recruiting Department for a one year Commercial Driving Apprenticeship program. According to Jim Morbach, military recruiting manager at Werner, eligible military veterans may earn up to $13,016 during their first year, in addition to their normal salary. Learn more about this program at
Â鶹AV student and U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran, Kevin O’Brien of Lisbon Falls, who has nearly completed his 18 week HVAC-R program, says, “A lot of veterans don’t know what benefits they have. Â鶹AV knew and had contacts that they could call right away. It was a very smooth process when I thought it would be difficult. And the program was excellent. I learned a lot in a short period of time. The instructors were very knowledgeable – just a great program that gave me lots of confidence to work in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industry.”   Highlights of using the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® at Â鶹AV:
- The U.S. Department of Veterans affairs established the Post 9/11 GI Bill ®, which offers generous benefits to qualified men and women who have sacrificed for our country.
- Excellent Â鶹AV staff knowledge of the veterans benefits AND how to navigate the maze of red tape to maximize benefits for which students may be eligible.
- In many cases, students can access their benefits and begin their program within just few weeks.
Â鶹AV’s programs train students in high demand careers fields.
Short term programs that allow veterans to get to work in as little as 6 months Support of the job search process with regular workshops in resume development, interview skills, and job search strategies, along with externships and employer referrals.
Â鶹AV, with campuses in Scarborough and Bangor, is a nationally accredited school and offers Federal Financial Aid for those who qualify. With its short-term, hands-on approach to training, Â鶹AV graduates are job-ready, may earn national certification and are prepared to meet the industry’s overwhelming needs and demands for qualified professionals.
The school offers in-demand training for a range of medical programs, including Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Assistant, Medical Coding and Billing, Phlebotomy, Information Technology (PC Repair, Network Administration), HVAC/R and CDL Truck Driving. Classes start each week or month for most programs.
For more information about Â鶹AV’s programs in either Scarborough or Bangor call, 800.447.1151 or visit, .
GI Bill ® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at .
