Its been the story since at least the Vietnam generation — veterans sometimes find if difficult to secure jobs once the military career comes to an end. Over the years various programs have attempted to resolve this problem, some with more luck than others. Now Microsoft aims to throw its considerable resources behind a solution to this dilemma, announcing a new assistance program.
“Unemployment rates are higher among veterans because it’s not always easy for service members to understand where their skills apply outside the military”, said Joint Base Lewis-McChord commander H. Charles Hodges Jr.
“American service members possess the drive, self-discipline and problem-solving skills that are essential for the technology industry”, says Microsoft Executive Vice President and General Counsel Brad Smith. “The Microsoft Software and Systems Academy is a bridge between one great career — serving in the U.S. military — and another, creating technologies that improve lives”.
The program is slated to begin as a pilot, and will launch in the software giant’s backyard at Saint Martin’s University at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. The 16-week course aims to “prepare U.S. service members to obtain the certification required for technology careers such as a developer, applications engineer and IT project manager”, according to today’s official announcement.
Microsoft takes this all one step further by pledging that graduates of the program will be hired by them, or by partner Launch Consulting, entering the technology field at the level of software tester.
This is not merely for those who have moved on from active service, as those still within that role will also be eligible — a big reason that the pilot program will take place on a military base.
