Unemployed veterans ages 35 to 60 can apply for up to 12 months of paid training through a new program sponsored by the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs.

According to VA officials, those the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program will serve are in particular need. Of approximately 900,000 U.S. veterans who are unemployed, nearly two-thirds are between 35 and 60, according to the Labor Department.

The program provides 12 months of training assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program, which currently pays $1,473 per month. Participants must be enrolled in a community college or technical school program approved for VA benefits. The program must lead to an associate degree, non-college degree or certificate.

To qualify, veterans must be unemployed on the day of application; have a discharge that is not dishonorable; not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program; not receive VA compensation for being unemployable; not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program; and pursue a program that leads to employment in one of 210 occupations the Labor Department designates as high-demand.