A new program developed in tandem by a Syracuse University organization and the Department of Defense aims to ease the transition from military careers to civilian employment.

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families announced a new public-private collaborative effort to support veterans transitioning into civilian life. Partnering up with The Schultz Family Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense, the IVMF helped to establish the Onward to Opportunity program, which assists service members and active duty spouses on military bases by offering industry-specific training and certifications.

Service members on active duty who are within 12 months of separation in addition to all active duty spouses are eligible to participate, according to IVMF’s website. The program, expected to serve as many as 10,000 people, is scheduled to begin in late spring 2015.

Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for veterans and military affairs at SU, said the new program helps veterans in transition better prepare for their future career.

“Onward to Opportunity creates a clearly-defined path to civilian employment for our service members and dramatically improves the likelihood that participants will be ‘job-ready’ when they transition from military to civilian life,” Haynie said in an email.

IVMF will function as the institution to develop, implement and coordinate programs with team members at the supported military installations to provide management and connections, ensuring successful transition, he said.

According to a Schultz Family Foundation press release, several corporations, including Microsoft and Starbucks, are involved in formulating specific job training programs.

Starbucks president and CEO Howard Schultz said in the release that veterans are valuable contributors to workforce.

“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 sense of mission,” Schultz said in the release. “In most cases, all they need is the boost of job-specific training to excel in the workplace.”

The foundation will fund $30 million for the program.

In the press release, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said the Pentagon is excited to partner with the Schultz Family Foundation, private sectors and IVMF in the joint-effort initiative. Carter said ensuring the successful transition of those who have defended the country, and their families, is “one of our most important national commitments.”

Haynie added that the program would allow SU to expand its educational resources to veterans and would benefit the community as a whole. SU is a national leader with regard to educational programs, Haynie said, and that factored into the Schultz Family Foundation’s decision to select the IVMF as a partner.

“SU’s current commitment to veterans and their families is representative of — and pays honor to — the University’s historical legacy of service to veterans,” Haynie said. “Today we have a chance to educate and cultivate what could be the next ‘greatest generation’ — and that’s what motivates our current efforts to educate and empower those who have served the country in uniform.”

The program is slated to take place in five military installations and one military community, according to DOD spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen.

Published on March 23, 2015 at 11:36 pm

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