The number of veterans without a job continues to increase.

The jobless rate for veterans increased in November to 6.6 percent, up from 6.3 percent in October.

Now, a new program in Oklahoma puts out of work veterans on the fast track to a new job.

Oklahoma is the first state to implement a program of this kind.

Dr. Phil Berkenbile, State Director of Career and Technology Education, Came up with the idea a year ago.

He says the program translates soldiers’ military jobs and education into civilian certifications.

Dr. Phil Berkenbile says, “For example, a person who is qualified to drive a cargo truck in the military won’t have to go to school to learn something they already know how to do. We want to be able to give them a truck driver-training test and get them certified.”

Berkenbile spent the last year developing the program because he didn’t want a repeat of history.

In the past, service members came back from war and weren’t able to find employment.

The program is free for veterans and their spouses who use a technology center in their district.

The program may be paid for using the GI Bill benefit or other available scholarship money.