Many veterans returning from duty overseas find themselves back home in an unexpected situation: unemployment.
To overcome that challenge and provide opportunities to veterans seeking high-tech jobs, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is teaming with private sector partners from the telecommunications industry to launch Warriors 4 Wireless.
The initiative will connect returning service members and veterans to jobs in the telecommunications industry, with the aim to fill more than 5,000 positions by 2015.
Most IT specialists in the military receive the same type of training as civilians, but have trouble getting those skills recognized by industry in the same way industry-recognized certifications do.
“Today’s employers require a workforce equipped with 21st-century skills and training,” said Tom Kalil, deputy director for technology and innovation at OSTP. Our men and women in the armed forces are uniquely positioned with the knowledge and drive to succeed, but may lack certain industry qualifications.”
According to the release by OSTP, the program is designed to help address the shortage of skilled jobs for returning veterans while meeting the wireless industry’s need for skilled tower-climbers to quickly, efficiently and safely deploy wireless telecommunications equipment and facilities.
The Warriors 4 Wireless pilot program was launched nearly a year ago in Washington, D.C. It saw an 86 percent placement rate for the more than 50 participating veterans.
Back in April, the Veterans IT Training and Certification program launched at the White House on the heels of President Barack Obama’s call to action for veterans to have better access to receive civilian training and certifications.
“It’s a win for the increasing number of Americans across our nation who rely on wireless networks at work and at home, and the exciting new opportunities that these networks are helping create in health care, education and every corner of our economy,” Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said.
