WASHINGTON (AP) - Some of the nation's leading manufacturing companies are launching a program to help veterans gain the skills necessary to fill some of the estimated 600,000 high-tech, manufacturing jobs that remain open because employers can't find qualified applicants.

Continue reading

The manufacturers say the program will be initially offered in 10 cities. The companies will work with local community and technology colleges to offer training and to put veterans on a fast track to obtaining certification in such areas as electronics, welding and machining.

The effort to hire more veterans will also involve working with employers to help them more effectively recruit veterans.

The unemployment rate for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan is about 2 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate of 7.8 percent.