Microsoft, Starbucks, JPMorgan Chase & Co. join effort to radically
change how military are trained, recruited, and hired for post-service
jobs
Company Website:
http://www.schultzfamilyfoundation.org/
SEATTLE -- (Business Wire)
The
Schultz Family Foundation, founded by Starbucks chairman and ceo
Howard Schultz and his wife Sheri Schultz, in partnership with Syracuse
University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, today announced a new program
called Onward to Opportunity that brings civilian-sector skills
training to service members before transition directly on U.S.
military installations across the country. Beginning in spring of 2015, Onward
to Opportunity will launch nationwide on up to six bases, and
expects to serve as many as 10,000 service members and spouses, in its
first year.
Onward to Opportunity represents a paradigm shift in how, where,
and when the private sector engages the military job-seeker. The program starts
by acknowledging the value of military-learned skills and experiences,
and is designed to complement them with industry-specific trainings,
certifications, and job placement services. Service members who complete
the program will be prepared for a job interview with the program’s
Fortune 500 corporate partners.
“Our service members are dedicated and resilient leaders who have
answered their country’s call to serve,” said Howard Schultz. “Every
business in America should recognize the value that these men and women
bring to our companies and communities: integrity, discipline, service,
leadership, and a strong sense of mission. In most cases, all they need
is the boost of job-specific training to excel in the workplace. With
more than one million service men and women expected to move into
civilian life over the next five years, we are thrilled to bring
Starbucks and other corporate leaders to the table to tap into this
impressive reservoir of military talent.” Starbucks is committed to
hiring at least 10,000 veterans and their spouses by the end of 2018.
Onward to Opportunity will initially focus on customer service
and technology careers, leveraging best-in-class trainings developed by
the nation’s leading companies including Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT),
Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX), and others that are committed to hiring
veterans. Under the program, these companies will be directly involved
in designing and implementing targeted trainings for active duty
military, enabling companies to hire talent during their transition to
civilian life. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has been working closely with the
Schultz Family Foundation and IVMF to align this opportunity with the
purpose of the 100,000 Jobs Mission, which is comprised of more than 185
companies spanning nearly every industry in the U.S. economy. These
companies commit to hiring veterans and military spouses, and sharing
their results and leading practices in hiring and retaining military
talent.
“We are excited to partner with the Schultz Family Foundation, IVMF, and
some of our nation’s most successful businesses to prepare our heroes as
they transition back to communities across the United States,” said U.S.
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. “These brave men and women have done so
much for our country and are ready to bring their experience, talent,
and leadership abilities to the private sector. I applaud our partners
in the business and nonprofit communities for all they are doing to
honor one of our most important national commitments, ensuring the
successful transition of those who have defended our country and their
families.”
Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families
(IVMF), the national leader in the design and delivery of educational
and vocational training programs for service members, veterans, and
their families, will partner with the Foundation on development and
implementation of Onward to Opportunity. “This is a historic
opportunity, and we’re excited to collaborate with the Schultz Family
Foundation and our country’s leading companies to drive innovation and
positive change, and empower this and future generations of service
members, veterans, and their families,” said Executive Director of the
IVMF and Vice Chancellor of Syracuse University Dr. Mike Haynie.
Onward to Opportunity was conceived as a complement and partner
to the Government’s existing transition efforts, and leverages the
lessons learned and design models of private sector on-base training
programs like the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) that
launched in the fall of 2013. In addition to service
members, Onward to Opportunity is available to military spouses
who often struggle with significant challenges sustaining a professional
career in the face of the frequent moves and deployments that are
characteristic of the military lifestyle.
For more information on Onward to Opportunity, go to www.onward2opportunity.com.
About the Schultz Family Foundation
The Schultz Family Foundation, established in 1996 by Howard and Sheri
Schultz, creates pathways of opportunity for populations facing barriers
to success. The Foundation invests in innovative solutions and
partnerships that unlock people’s potential, and strengthen our
businesses, our communities, and our nation. In March 2014, the Schultz
Family Foundation launched Onward Veterans,a national
initiative that empowers Post-9/11 veterans and their families to
successfully transition to civilian life. For more information about the
Foundation and its work: schultzfamilyfoundation.org
About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)
The IVMF is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher
education focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues
impacting veterans and their families post-service. Through our focus on
veteran-facing programming, research and policy, employment and employer
support, and community engagement, the institute provides in-depth
analysis of the challenges facing the veteran community, captures best
practices and serves as a forum to facilitate new partnerships and
strong relationships between the individuals and organizations committed
to making a difference for veterans and military families. Read more at http://vets.syr.edu/.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150317005297/en/
Contacts:
Schultz Family Foundation
Joy Portella, 206-437-7885
media@schultzfamilyfoundation.org
or
IVMF
Daniel
Savage, 315-748-1186
drsavage@syr.edu
Source: Schultz Family Foundation
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