2012 - PageSuite

INFOCUS
Get Skills to Work formed to address
skills gap, veterans training
Four major American manufacturers
recently announced the creation of
a coalition to fund and encourage military
veterans to get the training needed to fill
the manufacturing jobs shortage.
The Get Skills to Work coalition
will focus on accelerating skills training
for U.S. veterans; helping veterans
and employers translate military skills
to advanced manufacturing jobs; and
empowering employers with tools to
recruit, onboard, and mentor veterans.
It will be managed by the Manufacturing
Institute and supported through financial
and in-kind commitments from GE, Alcoa
Inc., Boeing, and Lockheed Martin.
“These initial investments will help
15,000 veterans translate military experience
to corresponding advanced manufacturing
opportunities and gain the
technical skills needed to qualify
for careers in this growing
sector,” the group said.
“A strong manufacturing
industry is
central to the longterm
health and success
of our economy,” said Jeff
Immelt, chairman and CEO of
GE. “But as technology advances,
skill sets must be upgraded to ensure
companies have the talent to continue
to fuel innovation. Today, many veterans
are out of work, despite the nation’s
growing industrial sector and increased
demand for skilled workers. Through this
initiative, we have an opportunity to help
veterans with extraordinary leadership
capabilities better compete for good paying
jobs with a long-term future.”
Reportedly 600,000 high-tech
manufacturing jobs remain
open in the U.S., and more
than 82% of manufacturers
report they
cannot find people to
fill their skilled production
jobs. Meanwhile, one million
veterans are expected to exit
the armed forces over the next four
years and will be transitioning to civilian
careers.
The coalition commissioned an online
survey of more than 1,000 veterans and
active duty military members preparing
to transition to the private sector. The survey
found that while 76% of respondents
are confident they will be as successful
in their careers as they were in the military,
one-third do not feel equipped to
Study: Returning vets say they have the skills to help manufacturing
A
new survey finds that veterans returning from military
service believe their skills will translate well into the
private sector, but don’t believe the private sector
feels the same way.
GE and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at
Syracuse University released the results of their “Voice of
Veterans” survey to coincide with the announcement of the
coalition between GE, Alcoa, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin.
The four companies, working with the Manufacturing Institute,
have developed the Get Skills to Work program to help
train and deploy returning veterans for manufacturing jobs.
The survey found that 76% of U.S. veterans and active
duty military preparing to transition to civilian life are confident
they can be successful in their private-sector careers.
But 66% said they believe the skills they gained in military
service are undervalued by private sector employers.
More than 1,000 veterans and active duty personnel
under the age of 45 took part in the survey. They said they
want the same kind of training they received in the military,
and believe their background and existing skills will translate
well into private sector employment.
“What stands out in this data is that veterans are motivated
to make a difference beyond their military careers.
Given their contributions, we must pay attention to the
unique challenges and opportunities they face as they navigate
the transition to civilian life,” said Mike Haynie, founder
and executive director, IVMF. “There is a lot we can do to
match the desire to work in dynamic, rewarding industries
with training that creates a pathway for success.”
“The U.S. manufacturing industry is growing, and we
stand ready to provide our military veterans with the training,
education, and mentorship they are seeking to build
long-term, well-paying careers that make a positive difference
in the world,” said Frank Taylor, chief security officer
of GE. “The skills earned in the U.S. armed forces translate
to today’s sophisticated, highly technical manufacturing
industry, and we are confident that working together with
America’s heroes, we are poised to drive American competitiveness.”
The Get Skills to Work coalition’s goal is to bolster the talent
pipeline, enhance American competitiveness, and give
our nation’s veterans the skills and tools they need to compete
for the jobs of the future. Coalition partners include
The Manufacturing Institute, GE, Boeing, Lockheed Martin,
Alcoa Inc., LinkedIn, Futures Inc., Atlantic Council, the Gary
Sinise Foundation and Techshop.
For more information about the Get Skills to Work coalition,
visit www.getskillstowork.org.
www.plantengineering.com PLANT ENGINEERING November 2012 • 9