Veterans returning to civilian life are sometimes faced with a simple question without an easy answer: “Now what?”
Some are re-entering the private sector with training in a field that will make it easy for them to land a job, but others may not have skills that are generally marketable. For those military personnel, it may be harder to find employment relevant to their training.
Within the confines of Camp Dawson last week, however, IBM and a group known as Corporate America Supports You announced another step in the business giant’s commitment to hire 2,000 U.S. veterans in the next four years. The collaboration of several organizations offers “new collar” technical training, certification and job placement assistance to veterans, including those in the Mountain State.
The announcement heralded a free nationwide training initiative that trains and certifies veterans in the use of IBM software, QRadar, widely used by law enforcement, cybersecurity and national security agencies. Commercial banking and insurance companies also use this software to investigate fraud or other criminal activity.
About a dozen veterans from throughout the eastern United States traveled to Camp Dawson for the free week-long training and certification course for the QRadar software. Hundreds of veterans will participate across the nation this year.
With the evolving nature of technology, IBM is creating new paths for military veterans to learn the skills necessary for the jobs of tomorrow, company officials said.
A widening gap exists between available, qualified, cybersecurity professionals and unfilled positions — potentially 1.8 million unfilled jobs by 2022, IBM points out. Programs designed to build in-demand technology skills are needed to prepare veterans for “new collar” careers — skilled positions, such as data and cybersecurity analysts, positions that require specific skills but not necessarily a four-year degree.
IBM and CASY launched the training as part of a veterans initiative to help local veterans translate their military experience into high-skilled jobs. The Veteran Employment Accelerator Grant program provides returning service members with hands-on training, certification, and job placement assistance in the fast-growing tech sector.
“The 21st-century economy is creating opportunities for careers in fields that are critical to our economy — like cybersecurity — and training partnerships like this will go a long way in developing a workforce that is ready to meet the growing jobs demand,” U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said in a statement in support of the efforts of IBM and CASY.
It’s easy to say we support the men and women who serve our country — but when their service ends, sometimes that’s when they need the most help. We salute the efforts of IBM, CASY and all the businesses that take the extra step to ensure that life after the military includes gainful employment.