Manufacturing Institute Launches Coalition to Train Military Veterans

The Manufacturing Institute has joined General Electric, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Alcoa and other partners in launching a new coalition to train military veterans for jobs in advanced manufacturing.

The Get Skills to Work coalition will focus on accelerating skills training for U.S. veterans, helping to translate military skills to in-demand advanced manufacturing positions and empower employers with tools to recruit and mentor veterans.

The Manufacturing Institute will manage several elements of the coalition with financial and in-kind support from GE, Alcoa, 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 coalition is seeking additional partners to meet its goal of reaching 100,000 veterans by 2015.

"The Manufacturing Institute is proud to be partnering with GE and other committed employers to make their investments in veterans and workforce training have a real impact in communities across the country," said Jennifer McNelly, president of the Manufacturing Institute. "Working with our partners, we will help create real opportunities for transitioning service members to get the skills they need to access in-demand manufacturing jobs."

Get Skills to Work will expand successful talent matching and development programs designed by the Manufacturing Institute. Working with Futures Inc., the institute has created a digital “badge” system to help translate applicable military occupational specialty codes (MOS) to civilian positions in advanced manufacturing. Skills matching and badge distribution will be supported by USManufacturingPipeline.com, a centralized online hub that connects manufacturing employers with veterans and National Guard and Army Reserve members.

To help prepare individuals whose military service experience doesn’t immediately qualify them for available manufacturing jobs, the Manufacturing Institute and other partners will work with local community and technical colleges to establish the Right Skills Now for Manufacturing program, which fast-tracks attainment of industry-recognized certifications and offers training in core technical skill areas.

These efforts will also contribute to the national goal of issuing 500,000 industry-based credentials by 2016, positioning individuals for employment and advancement in manufacturing jobs. Companies and veterans interested in joining this effort or learning more can visit www.getskillstowork.org.