Airmen from 203rd RED HORSE Squadron receive apprenticeship certificates

Sixteen Virginia National Guard Airmen from the Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron received apprenticeship certificates Dec. 3 as part of a program that translates military job skills directly into marketable civilian job skills.

The Virginia’s Department of Military Affairs created an Apprentice Partnership Initiative that works with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry to allow Virginia Guard Soldiers and Airmen to get credit for the skills they acquire through military schools as well as the duties they perform when they are in uniform.

“This is another professional credential for my civilian job that makes me competitive with my peers,” said Tech Sgt. Brian Rizzo, a ground safety officer in the Air Guard who also works as a safety officer with the city of Suffolk. “This will also make me more competitive for future opportunities as I advance in my career.”

The program is open to both Soldiers and Airmen. Apprenticeship programs traditionally produce well trained and highly skilled workers in specific trade field, and civilian employers like to hire workers who already have the experience and training so they don’t have to spend time and money for training. Guardsmen with these skills are more competitive on the civilian market and can be hired at a higher rate. Over time the earning potential is also higher.